Wiggins pleads ‘not guilty’ to murder of Prudence Hockley

Johnnie Lee Wiggins pleaded not guilty today to second degree murder in the beating death of Prudence Hockley of Phinney Ridge. King County Prosecutors say Wiggins assaulted Hockley outside her home on Christmas Eve; she died the next day.
Prosecutors say Hockley’s 13-year-old daughter was there at the time, which can be used as a basis for an exceptional sentence. The standard range is up to about 20 years, but Wiggins, now 48 years old, could face up to life in prison if convicted as charged.
Wiggins remains in jail on $5 million bail. A case setting hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24.
Woodinville High School, where Hockley was an English teacher, will celebrate her life at 7 p.m. tonight in the school gym. Another memorial service is set for 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Center For Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington, 3501 NE 41st St.
A memorial Facebook page is here. A fund for Hockley’s family has been set up at BECU. Checks can be made out to the Prudence Hockley Benevolent Account, and mailed to BECU, PO Box 34044, Seattle, WA 98124-1044.