Published: March 25, 2008 09:11 am         

Jury finds ex-coach not guilty

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

PALO PINTO – Tears flowed on both sides of the courthouse gallery Monday afternoon in Palo Pinto as State District Judge Jerry Ray announced the verdict, “not guilty,” in the trial of former Graford High School coach Michael Craig Floyd.

“Just absolute total relief,” Floyd, 43, told the Index, describing his initial reaction to the verdict. “I just prayed that justice would be done. I prayed for the jurors’ objectivity. …

“When your whole life comes to a single moment, that’s a pivot. It’s the most dramatic, nerving [thing] anyone can feel. To know I can go see my kids tomorrow and be with my wife …”

Floyd was charged with an improper relationship between an educator and student during the 2005-06 school year, stemming from allegations made by a former Graford High School female student athlete. The then-17-year-old student claimed Floyd made progressively sexual contact with her from kissing to oral sex during the spring 2006 semester.

The jury – comprised of seven women and five men – sided, however, with the defendant, clearing him of the charge. They spent almost five hours deliberating Monday, coming to a verdict shortly after 3 p.m., after listening to testimony for four days.

“I think they did an excellent job,” praised Gary Connally, Floyd’s defense attorney. “They did their job. They listened and they listened to it all. The only thing we can say is justice was done.”

Ray also commended the jury for their efforts in reaching the unanimous verdict.

“I think it’s fair to say the difficult, contested cases end up in a jury’s lap,” he remarked. “I believe you were an attentive jury. I believe you took your responsibility seriously.”

Commenting on the state’s evidence, Connally said, “They did not have one corroboration of any one act he was accused of. … When you looked for corroboration, there was none.”

District Attorney Michael Burns could not be reached for comment by deadline Monday afternoon.