Former High School Coach Speaks Out Before Trial

Former Western Heights High School basketball coach Tyrone Nash, accused of having sex with a student, is speaking out for a final time before his case goes to trial. Nash faces second degree rape charges for allegedly having sex with a then 16-year-old student back in 2011. “I am not shying away from going to trial, I am very confident,” Nash said.
Nash’s attorney, David Slane, first argued that the rape charges should be dismissed, as the alleged victim had reached the age of consent. Under Oklahoma law that age is 16, unless the acts are committed by a school employee. The high court decided not to take up the constitutionality of the law, sending Nash to trial, “The high court essentially said they were not going to take it up, it wasn’t timely,” Slane said.
Nash has maintained his innocence since the beginning, “He’s doing everything he can to prove his innocence,” Slane said, including taking a polygraph test. “For the first time we have released the polygraph itself,” Slane said.
Nash was asked if he had sexual contact with his accuser and he answered, ‘No.’ “And the authority said he was telling the truth, he passed the lie detected test,” Slane said.
“To hear him say that, I believe you are telling the truth, was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders,” Nash said.
As Nash May trial moves forward he now faces new civil court claims from his accuser, a move his lawyer says brings her motives into question, “He’s been sued by this girl, for money, and we think that shows her true motivation, that she wants money from him,” Slane said.
Polygraph tests are not admissible in court, however Nash is likely to testify and he says, clear his name, “My intentions are always to do the right thing, and by telling the truth, I was raised to tell the truth, and the truth will set you free,” Nash said.
Mark Taylor
Fox 25 News
Former High School Coach Speaks Out Before Trial

Posted: Wednesday, February 13 2013, 12:53 PM CST