Woman says she ‘couldn't remember' in trial of coach accused of sex crimes

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A woman testified she couldn't remember everything about the alleged sexual encounters she had with her former high school basketball coach.

Shawn Johnson is on trial accused of sex crimes involving four former students.

The former student told police that she had a photographic memory when they questioned her about the case in 2012.

Read our past coverage:  High school basketball coach fired after accusations of assault against students

Friday in court she used the phrase "I don't recall or remember" dozens of times in front of the jury. 

The alleged victim claims she had sex with former Hickory High basketball coach and gym teacher Johnson on four different occasions inside his office at the school. 

When questioned by police in 2012 she said one of the encounters was in the school's weight room while he was working out.

"Do I remember having sex with Coach Johnson in that weight room? I do not remember. If that is what I said at that particular time, that's what I said at that particular time," she said.

Johnson's attorney, Lisa Dubs, played a tape recording of her interview with police that contradicted her own testimony.  

The alleged victim also admitted she didn't know Johnson very well when she went to his office weeks after starting her freshman year where she claims he greeted her naked.

"When I had sex with Shawn Johnson we were in his office.  If I said anything different, I do not recall saying anything different and if I did at that particular time then I shouldn't be but I am apologizing," she said.

Her testimony of how the two had sex differed from what she told police in 2012 along with her description of his office, how the two met, and whether she was on the school's basketball team.  

"Yes, I have told lies. Yes, I have hurt people. Yes, I have become a felon. Yes, I have caught charges. Yes, I have done along of things just as well as yes I have slept with that man," she said.

After her testimony, a family member and a friend told the jury the alleged victim confided in them that she had sex with a teacher at the school shortly after it happened. The trial resumes Tuesday.

Reporter Dave Faherty will be keeping up with the latest on the trial. Follow him for updates on Twitter using #JohnsonTrial.

Read more:

Woman says she was 14 when former coach made first advances

WSOC