Published: 2009-10-04 21:56:00
Author: Raymond Drumsta | Ithaca Journal | September 16, 2009
ITHACA -- A former Ithaca chiropractor, once accused of molesting his patients, may spend up to 30 days in jail on other charges.
In a deal with prosecutors, John Ziegler, 59, pleaded guilty in Ithaca City Court Wednesday to two counts of third-degree assault and attempted third-degree assault, all misdemeanors. Ziegler, who was already convicted and serving a six-year probation sentence for sexually abusing one patient, was facing trials related to three other patients he was accused of molesting.
Ziegler's pleas were in satisfaction of the three counts of forcible touching and two counts third-degree sexual abuse he had been charged with. As his attorney, Ray Schlather, stressed to the court, the assault convictions do not have a sexual element.
Though Wednesday's court session appeared to cap the nearly five-year old case, court testimony indicated that one of Ziegler's victims -- who spoke at the sentencing -- is suing him.
The woman spoke of the emotional turmoil she suffered from Ziegler's crime and trial, which included the anxiety she experienced from seeing Ziegler in public places. Even a chance encounter with Schlather, who had questioned her at his trial, evoked unsettling sensations, she said.
"I think this story exemplifies how it feels to be a victim of sexual abuse," she testified before Ziegler was sentenced. "Even when you have the strength and support to come forward, you are faced with the challenge of navigating through a legal system that is heart-wrenching and confusing at best."
Ziegler was arrested at his East State Street office after four women alleged that he sexually abused them during chiropractic examinations in a period from February 2004 to August 2005. The victims told police that Ziegler touched them and inserted his fingers in their genitals during the massage portion of their treatments, court papers said.Full story