US EditionFormer Massachusetts teacher arraigned on charges he raped former students
Two former students say Rutledge groomed and abused at least five girls, and prosecutors say renewed evidence led to rape charges after an earlier decline.
- On Wednesday, former Miss Hall's School teacher Matthew Rutledge was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on three counts of rape involving two former students. Rutledge pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Prosecutors initially declined to charge Rutledge in 2024, citing Massachusetts' age-of-consent law allowing adults to have sex with teenagers 16 or older. An independent Aleta Law investigation later revealed systemic failures, prompting prosecutors to reopen the case.
- Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon, who publicly identified their former teacher two years ago, attended the arraignment. Fares said, "After more than two decades, this case is finally in the hands of the criminal justice system."
- Judge Michael K. Callan ordered Rutledge released on personal recognizance with strict no-contact orders barring him from Fares and Simon. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on June 18.
- The case has renewed calls for state legislation led by Representative Leigh Davis to prohibit sexual relationships between educators and students. Authorities confirmed investigations into other Miss Hall's School staff remain ongoing.
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17 Articles
Elite school teacher known as 'Mr Wonderful' accused of heinous crimes against students – Democratic Accent
A former private school teacher, who was nicknamed “Mr. Wonderful,” has been charged with three counts of rape involving two of his former students. Matthew Rutledge, 64, walked into Berkshire Superior Court in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday for his arraignment after Melissa Fares, 33, and Hilary Simon, 39, accused their teacher of abusing them when they were students at Miss Hall’s School. The abuse allegedly happened between 2000 and …
Private school teacher known as ‘Mr Wonderful’ charged with raping 2 former students who face him in court
A private school teacher nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful" has been charged with raping two former students -- who turned up to stare him down in a Massachusetts courtroom.
Former Miss Hall's teacher arraigned on rape charges
The former teacher at the Miss Hall's School, Matthew Rutledge, was arraigned on three counts of rape at the Berkshire County Superior Court. Rutledge appeared in the same room as Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon, the two survivors whose testimony led to Rutledge's indictment last month.
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