Judge denies bond reconsideration for former Las Cruces teacher; trial set for November

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A judge denied a request to reconsider keeping former Camino Real Middle School teacher and coach Wyatt Cornelius jailed ahead of his trial, which is scheduled for Nov. 9. Cornelius will remain held without bond while his case proceeds. He faces accusations involving inappropriate contact and messages with students. Annie Mason of Holt & Mason Attorneys, who represents the first alleged victim, said the judge found Cornelius and his attorneys did not show a change in circumstances related to whether he is dangerous. “He determined that Mr. Cornelius’ attorneys, were not able to show that there was a change in circumstances as to his dangerousness. And I think he’s right,” Mason said. A grand jury in July indicted Cornelius on two additional counts of criminal sexual contact involving a second alleged victim between the ages of 13 and 18. Court documents allege Cornelius touched the second victim’s chest and buttocks between September 2025 and February 2026. Mason said the second case will be handled separately. “There is a second case, for a second victim, a child victim has come forward. And those are felony charges as well. That trial date will be set separately,” she
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