The State - News from July 23, 1986

In a surprise move, a former University of California professor pleaded no contest to 21 counts of sexually molesting his twin adopted daughters and a young house guest six years ago. Joseph Royce,63, entered the plea prior to jury selection in his case in Alameda County Superior Court. Prosecutor M. J. Tocci said Royce faces a state prison term of up to 10 years when he appears before Judge Larry Goodman for sentencing on Sept. 30. Defense attorney Lincoln Mintz said his client decided to enter the plea because of concern that a conviction by a jury would result in a possible maximum prison term of 38 years. Mintz said the former UC Berkeley professor also did not want to put the alleged victims through the ordeal of appearing as witnesses. Royce resigned under pressure from the university’s physical education department after the charges were made. He is free on $150,000 bail.