Published: March 19, 2008 09:25 am         

Ex-Graford student tells of relationship with coach

Editor’s note: Because of the nature of this story, some portions of the article contain subject matter likely considered inappropriate for younger readers.

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

PALO PINTO – Testimony continues today in the trial of former Graford High School coach Michael Craig Floyd on a charge of inappropriate relationship between an educator and a student.

The now-18-year-old female Graford ISD graduate took the witness stand in State District Judge Jerry Ray’s courtroom Tuesday morning where she remained until the jurors were dismissed that evening. Floyd remained calm during the course of her testimony. He is represented by Gary Connally, of Abilene, and Sam Moore.

The charge against Floyd is a second-degree felony, punishable upon conviction by a term of two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

District Attorney Mike Burns questioned the alleged victim about her home life and background, which the young woman described as “very loving” but also very strict. The jury, comprised of seven women and five men, heard from her testimony that her social life was restricted to her school, athletics and the church where her stepfather pastored.

In his opening statement, Burns told the jurors he anticipated evidence to show Floyd used authority, manipulation and abuse of trust to get close to the alleged victim. Burns questioned the alleged victim about the development of her interaction with her teacher and coach during the 2005-06 school year.

According to the state’s first witness, Graford ISD Superintendent Chance Welch, Floyd taught Bible history, physical education, girls’ volleyball, girls’ basketball and girls’ track. Floyd is also married with children.

A junior at the time of the alleged incidents, the alleged victim participated in cross country, track and basketball as well as enrolled in the Bible history course. In the Bible history course, she quickly became the only student attending in the first semester. In the beginning, the young woman described Floyd as an easy and supportive listener to her.

“It made me feel very good because for once someone was agreeing,” she said. “We talked a lot, just about anything and everything. … I started trusting him quite a bit.”

During the first semester, according to her testimony, she didn’t have any exchanges with him that were sexual in nature except a hypothetical scenario he presented in the Bible history class.

The alleged victim told jurors Floyd started hugging her during the second semester, testifying that he “put his hands up the back of my shirt.” In response to Burns’ question, she said the hugs would occur a few times a week. “I was OK with it.”

“Did it never cross your mind it might be wrong?” the district attorney asked.

She responded, “Not really, because I trusted him … I got to where I didn’t feel I should make any decision without him.”

As the testimony continued, the alleged victim recounted the days when contact became more physical between her and the coach. She recounted an incident in March, 2006, on a ride back to the campus after a track meet in Azle where Floyd allegedly rubbed her legs.

At that point in time, she testified that their relationship had progressed. “We talked on the phone quite a bit. We talked a lot about track … It was more like we were friends than teacher and student. At first, I’d call him quite a bit; later on, he’d call quite a bit.”

After the alleged victim turned 17 in April of 2006, she told jurors of encounters on specific dates that involved kissing at first, then grabbing her backside and later her breasts and sliding a hand down her pants. On May 23, 14 days after their first kiss according to her testimony, the victim alleged that Floyd met her in a locker room.

“He asked if I wanted something to remember him by,” she stated. According to her testimony in court, the alleged victim said Floyd pulled down her pants and performed oral sex on her; “it only lasted a couple of minutes,” she added.

After that encounter, the former student described phone conversations she had with Floyd and an increasing desire to separate herself from him and the events of the past school year.

She explained that she decided to come forward about the relationship out of concern it would happen to other girls. When Burns asked if she had come forward with her statement out of jealousy, she replied no. The alleged victim said she was concerned with the emotional aftermath to someone else.

When Connally began his cross-examination at 3 p.m. Tuesday, he questioned the young woman about a 2005 encounter with a summer camp youth pastor that led to an e-mail relationship her mother didn’t approve of. According to the alleged victim, she said her mother read the e-mails and “it’s been a year since I talked to him.”

Connally also questioned her regarding a folder and encouraging notations she gave to Floyd during the second semester, when she learned his contract with the school district wasn’t going to be renewed. Part of her actions to keep Floyd at Graford, according to evidence admitted into court, was a letter to the editor published in the Lake Country Sun.

“You were in fact telling Coach Floyd this was what you wanted – him staying on as coach and teacher,” the defense attorney commented.

“You’ve accused Michael Floyd of eight or nine inappropriate acts. Was there one eyewitness [to any]?” he asked her.

She replied, “Not to my knowledge.”

During his opening testimony, Moore told jurors, “This case, if I had to categorize it … is teenage fantasy. This young lady had some significant emotional problems. …

“Withhold your judgment until you hear it all. You’ll hear more than [the alleged victim], I assure you.”