Printable Page
05/08 23:08 CDT Trial of ex-high school basketball coach who conducted naked
fat tests comes to a close
Trial of ex-high school basketball coach who conducted naked fat tests comes to
a close
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI
Associated Press
WAKEFIELD, R.I. (AP) --- Attorneys on Friday will deliver closing arguments in
the trial of a former Rhode Island high school basketball coach facing criminal
charges after authorities say he repeatedly asked male student-athletes to
remove their clothes while alone with him so he could check their body fat.
Aaron Thomas, 57, who coached at North Kingstown High School from the 1990s
until he resigned in 2021, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree child
molestation and second-degree sexual assault.
The trial began last month and has involved 10 students testifying against
Thomas, with some of the testimony turning emotional as the former students
recalled the embarrassment at being pinched with a caliper while naked in front
of their coach. One student said Thomas was visibly aroused while conducting
the so-called naked fat test.
A key detail surrounding the case is the question Thomas would present to the
male athletes, asking if they were "shy or not shy." Those who said no were
asked to strip naked, allowing Thomas to pinch various areas of their bodies,
including near their groins and buttocks.
During his testimony, Thomas told his attorney he likely saw more than 600
student-athletes throughout his career, with "roughly 80%" of them taking their
underwear off during the test. He acknowledged that removing the underwear was
not necessary.
Meanwhile, four separate students testified in favor of the tests. They told
the jury that it helped them become better athletes.
Thomas was the last witness to take the stand. Notably, on his third day of
testifying, Thomas apologized and confirmed he lied to law enforcement when he
was initially asked if students were naked for the tests.
"I'm truly sorry that it occurred the way it occurred," Thomas said. "It was
never my intent to ever hurt or cause any kind of pain, or embarrass, or make
uncomfortable, even, any of the student-athletes. It was just for competitive
advantage."
Thomas added that it was a "foolish thing" and now can see how it "could be
construed."
Thomas' criminal investigation started in late 2021 and involved interviews
with more than 30 former students, as well as teachers, coaches, administrators
and medical professionals.
Although Thomas is alleged to have performed the tests on multiple students
over many years, the charges relate to just two, authorities said. One was
under age 14 at the time of the alleged crime between September 2000 and
February 2002.
|
