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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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9

Jury Clears School Coach in Player's Heat Death

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(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)
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9 comments
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JoeQ
Sep 17, 09 4:25 PM CDT
Great. Perish the thought that we should punish anyone who champions the "character-building" nature of "team sports". Reply
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DontLikeYou
Sep 17, 09 5:09 PM CDT
Have you ever noticed that in America, when someone dies, someone must pay... even if the death is an accident. Mabye this zeal is the reason why we have the highest per capita prison population in the world. And they call us a "free" nation? Ha. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Sep 17, 09 5:52 PM CDT
America's litigiousness (from citizens) is indeed bad; way too many, when injured, see it as a game to find someone else they can hold responsible. However, this penchant is not remotely the cause of our overcrowded prisons. For that look to poverty in the inner cities, racism and whatever it is that makes us hate, *and* anti-recreational drug laws.
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IN RESPONSE:
Collusive
Sep 17, 09 5:52 PM CDT
yea if something is an accident, it should be forgiven despite the presence of irresponsibility. will you please excuse me as i go penny dropping from my apartment roof.
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youngblood
Sep 17, 09 6:19 PM CDT
Total Bullshit and irresponsible! I at first thought that he should not be charged but when I read that this asshole coach forbid the players to drink water in that heat and had them doing sprints...HE"S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KIDS DEATH!! Reply
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