August 4, 2005 Coach Cleared of Child Molestation Prosecutor Expresses Disappointment at Verdict DECATUR -- A high school football coach accused of sexual misconduct with two students at his school was acquitted of molestation charges Thursday. McNair High School football coach Johnny Gilbert was exonerated of an accusation from two underage students, a male and a female, that he ordered them to have sex while he watched. "When they read (the verdict) I looked at my wife and she was crying," Gilbert said outside the courtroom. "We were just so happy and elated like I had just won a state championship." Gilbert, 35, did not testify. Defense lawyer Keith Adams told the Superior Court jury that there were far too many discrepancies in the students' stories. On Tuesday, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Mark Scott dismissed three of the charges against Gilbert. All six original charges against Gilbert stemmed from the claims of a boy and girl, both now 15, who said Gilbert confronted them behind the school the night of Jan. 31. Also dropped was one charge of enticing a minor for indecent purposes. After the verdict was read, Gilbert smiled and shook hands with his team of defense lawyers. Gilbert's wife wept openly in court. "This the best-worst thing that has ever happened to us," said Gilbert's wife, Shakneeka. "The best thing because it brought us closer together and showed us our strengths and the worst thing because you would never imagine being accused of something you've never done." DeKalb District Attorney Gwen Fleming said she did not like the verdict. "Obviously, we are disappointed by it, but certainly we will respect it," she said. "We've never questioned a jury in the past and don't plan to start now." The coach was reassigned to an administrative office after being charged in February. It was not immediately clear whether he'd return to coaching. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/4808755/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=news Back To Guvment Skool Page 8 COPYRIGHT "DUHMAG.COM" 2005