Football coaches throughout the country likely took a collective sigh of relief after a Jefferson County (Ky.) jury acquitted Jason Stinson on all charges Thursday including that of reckless homicide and wanton endangerment in the 2008 death of sophomore lineman Max Gilpin.
The former Pleasure Ridge Park coach and his family and friends broke into tears upon hearing the verdict, which took jurors approximately 90 minutes to deliberate.
According to a report in the Louisville Courier-Journal, Stinson led supporters in a prayer when word that a verdict had been reached.
The emotional scene before a packed courtroom was predictable in this landmark case that brought to light the role and responsibility of high school coaches in heat-related deaths.
Stinson was arraigned after Max died of heat stroke following an Aug. 23, 2008 preseason practice.
Prosecutors claimed that Stinson ran the team excessively that day and withheld water from the players.
In closing arguments Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jon Heck said Stinson ignored players vomiting that day, that another player collapsed and that Max shook and stumbled during his final wind sprints.
Max collapsed and was hospitalized that day and died three days later. The heat index at his final practice was 94 degrees.
Defense attorney Alex Dethrone claimed in closing that Stinson was wrongly indicted due to critical media attention and that it was simply an accident.
“We’ve got a man looking at prison time for being a football coach,” he told jurors. “Convict football, don’t convict a man. This man was doing what every coach in the country was doing that day.”
Ultimately, the jury agreed.
Look for updates and reaction throughout the day.
