HS Football Coach Charged With Homicide

In a move that could put every athletic coach in the United States on notice, a Jefferson County ((KY)) grand jury has returned a reckless homicide indictment against a local football coach over the death of one his players in August of 2008.

Jason Stinson ((pictured, thanks WAVE-3)), head coach of Pleasure Ridge Park High School, is charged over the death of a 15-year-old sophomore, Max Gilpin. Gilpin collapsed on a practice field and died at hospital three days later. Gilpin's parents have even gone as far as filing a civil suit against the PRP coaching staff. They released the following statement through their attorney:

We have relied on the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department and the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney's Office to determine whether the conduct of those responsible for Max's safety and wellbeing on August 20, 2008 violated criminal statutes. We are hopeful that the police Department's investigation will soon be made available to us. Five months after Max's death, the Jefferson County School Board and PPR (sic) High School still have not provided us with any information regarding their investigation of the events surrounding Max's death, claiming that the investigation is "confidential." But what we have learned about the coaches conduct at the football practice that led to max's collapse and death is inexcusable, as was the lack of urgency and the delay in seeking medical treatment after max collapsed and never regained consciousness. We intend to closely monitor the prosecution and expect anyone responsible for Max's death to be held accountable."

Jeff Gilpin, Michelle Crockett, and Aaron Crockett

Pending the outcome of the investigation, Coach Stinson has been reassigned to the county school system's central office and cannot be in a classroom to teach.If convicted, Stinson faces charges of up to five years in prison. None of Stinson's assistants were brought up on charges and the commonwealth's attorneys are asking Stinson turn himself in by Monday at 3 PM. The commonwealth will not hold Stinson in custody once he does surrender himself.

WDRB Fox-41's coverage is below...


Jason Riley and Antoinette Konz story from the Louisville Courier-Journal is in black...