Local

Former student says she didn't want to press charges against coach

HICKORY, N.C. — A third accuser took the stand in the trial of a former Hickory High School basketball coach accused of committing sex crimes.
 
The former student said she doesn't believe the former coach should be charged.

Read our past coverage:

The alleged victim didn't want to testify in the case and said she was threatened with arrest if she didn't show up. 
 
She told the jury about an encounter she had with the former coach on the basketball court. 
 
Channel 9 is not identifying the alleged victim.
 
"I had PE class with him. I had called next on a basketball court game and as soon as I went on he slapped me on my butt and he told me he had next and told me to get off the court which I did," she said.
 
The successful basketball coach lost his job at Hickory High after his arrest in 2012.
 
He is charged with 12 felonies in connection to allegations involving four former students including one who claimed the two had sex in his office several times. 
       
Prosecutors believe the slap on the butt was a crime but the former student said she isn't so sure and didn't want to be in court Wednesday. 
 
"I honestly did not want to press charges against him. They were pressed for me because I was underage.  And if I had the option to press charges I wouldn't of because I didn't feel uncomfortable," she said.
 
At one point, the judge became very vocal with prosecutors over possible evidence in the case.  
 
He has said repeatedly the case is already in its third week for a trial that was supposed to last only two.

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

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: