Former Coach Found Not Guilty of Child Molestation Charges
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WJAR) — In a notable verdict from the Washington County Superior Court, Aaron Thomas, a former North Kingstown High School basketball coach, was found not guilty of second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault related to his controversial "naked fat tests." However, jurors did convict him on two lesser misdemeanor battery charges, with sentencing scheduled for June 26.
The trial faced delays after a juror was excused, prompting the jury to restart deliberations. During the proceedings, several student-athletes testified that they had been required to undress in Thomas’s office for fat testing, which involved inappropriate touching of their upper inner thighs. The crux of the jury’s decision rested on whether Thomas’s actions were intended for sexual gratification.
Prosecutors argued that there was no legitimate rationale for the procedure, while the defense maintained it was a legitimate testing method, albeit inappropriate given the circumstances. The case has sparked widespread discussion about boundaries and ethics in sports coaching. NBC 10’s Gabrielle Caracciolo contributed to this report.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
