Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Jury Clears School Coach in Player's Heat Death

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 17, 2009 4:15 PM CDT
Email

(AP) – A former Kentucky high school football coach has been acquitted in the death of a player who collapsed at a practice where the team was put through a series of sprints on a hot summer day. It was a rare criminal prosecution of a coach in a player's heat-related death. David Jason Stinson was charged after 15-year-old Max Gilpin collapsed at an August 2008 practice. He died three days later.

Players said Stinson ordered the so-called "gassers" as punishment for the lack of effort at practice on a day in which the temperature and heat index were both 94 degrees. The jury reached a verdict after deliberating for less than two hours.

In this photo provided by the Gilpin family, Max Gilpin is shown during his 15th birthday party.
In this photo provided by the Gilpin family, Max Gilpin is shown during his 15th birthday party.   (AP Photo/Family Photo via The Courier-Journal)
Former high school football coach David Jason Stinson returns to the courtroom during a break in his trial in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.
Former high school football coach David Jason Stinson returns to the courtroom during a break in his trial in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.   (Ed Reinke)
Lois Gilpin, stepmother of deceased football player Max Gilpin, testifies.
Lois Gilpin, stepmother of deceased football player Max Gilpin, testifies.   (AP Photo/Sam Upshaw Jr., Pool)
Brian Butler, left, and David Jason Stinson, listen to testimony.
Brian Butler, left, and David Jason Stinson, listen to testimony.   (AP Photo/Bill Luster, Pool)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
cougar09
Sep 18, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
i agree. i live in az and saw a high school coach on tv. They allowed their players water breaks as much as they needed and not to my knowledge no one died during practice-and it's arizona! it's more hotter here than florida.
oldgoat
Sep 18, 2009 2:51 AM CDT
I believe he was at least partially responsible for the kids death. Some coaches have larned to make sure to have the kids get water and watch for signs of trouble. Team sports can build character, but it can also be used to tear down a person in the hands of a bad coach.
So_Cal_Larry
Sep 17, 2009 11:05 PM CDT
If this coach deprived the team of water in high heat sombined with heavy exercise leading to severe dehydration, he is certainly guilty of reckless endangerment. I think this District Attorney took the wrong route in looking for manslaughter or some such intentional crime. Has this coach had no training in such simple matters as over exercise or dehydration? If not, then the family of this student should bring a substantial money lawsuit against the school district. I'm sure the coach's days of coaching are over forever. Probably out of teaching, too. Perhaps he should enlist in the Marine Corps.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

US

 
coach • sports deaths • high school football • heat stroke

More Newser Stories

Joe Paterno in Serious Condition

Runaway Cart Wreaks Havoc at Cowboys Stadium

DA: We Can't Prosecute Syracuse Sex Abuse Claims

Syracuse Fires Coach in Wake of Molestation Claims

Syracuse Coach Accused of Molesting Ball Boys
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne