Rock Hill High School teacher Scott Jones, accused of sexual misconduct involving two students, will wait a while longer before telling his side of the story in court.

State law requires a person accused of a crime but free on bond to be brought to trial within 270 days of indictment. Jones is free on bond, but Wednesday he agreed to delay his trial to allow for more time to prepare his case.

“I agree to waive my right to a speedy trial,” Jones told Judge Charles Cooper.

Cooper set a pretrial conference for next week.

Jones, 37, of 27 Private Drive 963 County Road 181, Ironton, was arrested in May 2008 and charged with two counts of sexual battery. He is accused of having improper contact with two female students during several incidents that allegedly took place between Dec. 1, 2007 and April 21, 2008.

Authorities said the incidents took place during and after school on school grounds.

If convicted, Jones faces up to five years in prison on each charge.

Jones was one of several people appearing Wednesday for various reasons in common pleas court.

Robert L. Westmoreland, 44, of 3571 County Road 120, South Point, was arraigned on two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs and one count of complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs.

Westmoreland pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Mike Davenport, who argued that his client deserved a low bond or to be released on his own recognizance since he did not pose a flight risk.

“He has no prior records, he is a member of this community, his mother and family are present and they are members of the community,” Davenport said.

Judge D. Scott Bowling set bond at $25,000 cash, surety or property or $25,000 on his own recognizance provided Westmoreland agrees to electronically monitored home confinement.