Latest news with #NorthKingstown
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
High school coach who did naked fat tests found not guilty of child molestation, sexual assault
A jury has found a former Rhode Island high school basketball coach not guilty of second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault after he spent decades asking hundreds of male student-athletes if they were 'shy or not shy' before asking them to get naked so he could their check their body fat. Instead, the 12 jurors found Aaron Thomas guilty of a lesser charge, misdemeanor battery, in their verdict handed down Monday. In the final days of the trial, attorneys agreed that the jury could consider convicting Thomas of misdemeanor battery rather than the harsher charges originally issued against the coach. Throughout the nearly six-week trial, defense attorneys for Thomas argued that the so-called naked fat tests conducted by the once-beloved coach at North Kingstown High School were wrong but not a crime. The defense said Thomas didn't touch the boy athletes for sexual gratification or arousal, a key requirement under the charges he faced. 'We'd like to thank the jury for their attention, their hard work, and for their verdict. We are very satisfied that the jury saw the case as we saw it, no sexual intent whatsoever,' defense attorney John MacDonald told reporters outside the court. Prosecutors maintained Thomas created and implemented a program that allowed him to have unfettered access to young naked boys for decades. 'Above all else, this case is about the victims who suffered greatly behind closed doors," said Attorney General Peter Neronha in a statement. 'And despite what the defendant and his defense would have you believe, pseudo-science is not an excuse for abuse, nor is winning more important than well-being. We believe that what took place here was not just bad judgment, it was, and always has been, criminal conduct.' Neronha added that the statute of limitations on second-degree assault in Rhode Island is three years, a limit that he has pushed to increase to 10 years and would have allowed him to pursue more charges. Under Rhode Island law, misdemeanor battery carries a maximum one-year prison sentence and a possible fine as high as $1,000. Sentencing for Thomas will take place June 26. Although Thomas performed the tests on multiple students over many years, the charges related to just two former students, including one who was under 14 at the time, in September 2000 and February 2002. Thomas' attorneys argued that these former students' testimony were unreliable — pointing out one of the boy's mental health struggles — and stressed that they really wanted a monetary payment under a separate civil lawsuit. During his testimony, Thomas told the jury that he likely saw more than 600 students throughout his career, with 'roughly 80%' of them taking their underwear off during the test. The tests involved Thomas pinching various areas of their bodies, including near the groin and buttocks. The tests were conducted behind closed doors, first in a small closet-like room and then eventually in Thomas' office. Thomas acknowledged while on the stand that removing the underwear was not necessary, while body fat composition experts said pinching near the groin was not backed by science as a way to determine body fat. More than a dozen students testified throughout the trial, as well as law enforcement officers, body composition experts and former school officials.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Washington Post
Jurors deliberate fate of high school basketball coach who conducted naked fat tests
WAKEFIELD, R.I. — Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the child molestation trial of a former Rhode Island high school basketball coach who asked hundreds of male student-athletes to take off their underwear so he could check their body fat. Defense attorneys contend Aaron Thomas conducted the tests because he was focused on developing a successful athletics program, downplaying the credibility of students who say they were humiliated and embarrassed. The trial for the once popular coach and teacher at North Kingstown High School lasted six weeks. Thomas, 57, is charged with second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault . Jurors concluded Tuesday without a verdict. The judge has instructed them to deliberate each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until they reach a decision. For nearly 30 years, Thomas designed and administered a fitness test that involved measuring their upper inner thighs and pressing his fingers into their groin areas with no other adults present. Defense attorneys acknowledged it was wrong and not backed by body composition expert but insisted it didn't break the law. They said that's because Thomas didn't touch the boy athletes for sexual gratification or arousal, a key requirement under the charges he faces. 'I suggest to you that justice was served years ago,' John Calcagni, Thomas' attorney, said during closing arguments on Monday. 'He lost his job. He'll never coach and teach ever again. And in his own words, his reputation has been destroyed.' Prosecutors, meanwhile, presented a starker picture in their closing argument on Tuesday, focusing on Thomas creating a program that allowed him to have unfettered access to young naked boys for decades. Quoting from the student-athletes who testified throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Thomas preyed on prepubescent boys who were smaller in size and likely intimidated by Thomas' authority. 'He's someone who used somewhat legitimate testing as a cover and a guise to administer his own perverted tests, under the guise of legitimacy for his own pleasure,' said Special Assistant Attorney General Meegan Thomson. A key detail surrounding the case is the question Thomas would present to the male athletes, asking if they were 'shy or not shy?' Those who said no were asked to strip naked, allowing Thomas to pinch various areas of their bodies, including near their groins and buttocks. The tests were conducted behind closed doors, first in a small closet-like room and then eventually in Thomas' office. 'It's meant to be coercive. That question is not poised until you're alone being towered over this man at 6'4 and you're already in a state of undress and he's saying 'shy or not shy'.'' Thomson said. During his testimony, Thomas told his attorney he likely saw more than 600 student-athletes throughout his career, with 'roughly 80%' of them taking their underwear off during the test. He acknowledged that removing the underwear was not necessary. During his third day of testifying, Thomas acknowledged he lied to law enforcement when he was initially asked if students were naked for the tests. 'I'm truly sorry that it occurred the way it occurred,' Thomas said. 'It was never my intent to ever hurt or cause any kind of pain, or embarrass, or make uncomfortable, even, any of the student-athletes. It was just for competitive advantage.' Although Thomas is alleged to have performed the tests on multiple students over many years, the charges relate to just two. One was 14 at the time of the alleged crime between September 2000 and February 2002. On Monday, the defense team attacked the credibility of the two student-athletes whose allegations led to the charges, pointing out the mental health struggles of one of the witnesses and inconsistent statements in their testimony. Calcagni also stressed that some of the student-athletes are pursuing a civil lawsuit against North Kingstown, saying 'when money is on the line, that becomes a motivating factor for people, sometimes to stretching the truth, and sometimes not to tell the truth at all.' Thomson pushed back against those attacks, saying that one of the witnesses involved in the charges has passed the statute of limitations to file a civil lawsuit and countered that the mental health struggles directly stemmed from the years of abuse caused by Thomas. More than a dozen student-athletes testified throughout the six-week trial, as well as law enforcement officers, body composition experts and former school officials. Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg told jurors that if they don't find Thomas guilty of sexual assault, they can consider whether he's guilty of misdemeanor battery, a lesser charge.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- The Independent
Jurors deliberate fate of high school basketball coach who conducted naked fat tests
Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the child molestation trial of a former Rhode Island high school basketball coach who asked hundreds of male student-athletes to take off their underwear so he could check their body fat. Defense attorneys contend Aaron Thomas conducted the tests because he was focused on developing a successful athletics program, downplaying the credibility of students who say they were humiliated and embarrassed. The trial for the once popular coach and teacher at North Kingstown High School lasted six weeks. Thomas, 57, is charged with second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault. For nearly 30 years, Thomas designed and administered a fitness test that involved measuring their upper inner thighs and pressing his fingers into their groin areas with no other adults present. Defense attorneys acknowledged it was wrong and not backed by body composition expert but insisted it didn't break the law. They said that's because Thomas didn't touch the boy athletes for sexual gratification or arousal, a key requirement under the charges he faces. 'I suggest to you that justice was served years ago,' John Calcagni, Thomas' attorney, said during closing arguments on Monday. 'He lost his job. He'll never coach and teach ever again. And in his own words, his reputation has been destroyed.' Prosecutors, meanwhile, presented a starker picture in their closing argument on Tuesday, focusing on Thomas creating a program that allowed him to have unfettered access to young naked boys for decades. Quoting from the student-athletes who testified throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Thomas preyed on prepubescent boys who were smaller in size and likely intimidated by Thomas' authority. 'He's someone who used somewhat legitimate testing as a cover and a guise to administer his own perverted tests, under the guise of legitimacy for his own pleasure,' said Special Assistant Attorney General Meegan Thomson. A key detail surrounding the case is the question Thomas would present to the male athletes, asking if they were 'shy or not shy?' Those who said no were asked to strip naked, allowing Thomas to pinch various areas of their bodies, including near their groins and buttocks. The tests were conducted behind closed doors, first in a small closet-like room and then eventually in Thomas' office. 'It's meant to be coercive. That question is not poised until you're alone being towered over this man at 6'4 and you're already in a state of undress and he's saying 'shy or not shy'.'" Thomson said. During his testimony, Thomas told his attorney he likely saw more than 600 student-athletes throughout his career, with 'roughly 80%' of them taking their underwear off during the test. He acknowledged that removing the underwear was not necessary. During his third day of testifying, Thomas acknowledged he lied to law enforcement when he was initially asked if students were naked for the tests. 'I'm truly sorry that it occurred the way it occurred,' Thomas said. 'It was never my intent to ever hurt or cause any kind of pain, or embarrass, or make uncomfortable, even, any of the student-athletes. It was just for competitive advantage.' Although Thomas is alleged to have performed the tests on multiple students over many years, the charges relate to just two. One was 14 at the time of the alleged crime between September 2000 and February 2002. On Monday, the defense team attacked the credibility of the two student-athletes whose allegations led to the charges, pointing out the mental health struggles of one of the witnesses and inconsistent statements in their testimony. Calcagni also stressed that some of the student-athletes are pursuing a civil lawsuit against North Kingstown, saying 'when money is on the line, that becomes a motivating factor for people, sometimes to stretching the truth, and sometimes not to tell the truth at all.' Thomson pushed back against those attacks, saying that one of the witnesses involved in the charges has passed the statute of limitations to file a civil lawsuit and countered that the mental health struggles directly stemmed from the years of abuse caused by Thomas. More than a dozen student-athletes testified throughout the six-week trial, as well as law enforcement officers, body composition experts and former school officials. Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg told jurors that if they don't find Thomas guilty of sexual assault, they can consider whether he's guilty of misdemeanor battery, a lesser charge.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rhode Island Current wins Best Website and six other honors in press association competition
Left to right, Rhode Island Current Editor-in-Chief Janine L. Weisman; Reporter Alexander Castro, and Christopher Shea hold some of the honors awarded at the Rhode Island Press Association annual banquet in North Kingstown on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Photo by Amie Wambach for Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island Current took home seven awards — including first place for Best Website, General News Photo and Headline Writing — at the annual Rhode Island Press Association Editorial Awards Banquet on Friday, May 9. The banquet at the Quonset 'O' Club in North Kingstown recognized the best work produced by Rhode Island news organizations in 2024 across 45 categories, including photography, writing and design. This year's contest drew a total of 463 entries. Rhode Island Current, an affiliate of States Newsroom that launched in 2023, joined the association last year after the board voted to open membership to digital news outlets. The Best Website category recognizes a news website that showcases an outlet's depth of work with emphasis on presentation, strength of content and use of digital tools and storytelling techniques. After Rhode Island Current took first place, second place went to The Boston Globe Rhode Island and third place to The Providence Journal. Reporter Alexander Castro won first place in the General News Photo for his candid photo of a young girl about to drop her ballot into a voting box at the Providence Children's Museum last October as part of a civics education program geared for kids. Editor-in-Chief Janine L. Weisman earned first place in the headline writing category, which required the submission of three headlines. Weisman entered: 'Whitehouse going for gold in Olympic ad spending with his U.S. Senate reelection campaign' 'Schoolkids already have enough on their plate. Will legislators take brown rice off it?' 'So many accusations in Providence House Democratic primary contest, so little time to investigate' Reporter Christopher Shea took second place for Government Reporting for his story on a last-minute intervention in Rhode Island's U.S. Senate race by an unknown super PAC on behalf of GOP candidate Patricia Morgan, who lost her bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse. The second place award for General Election Coverage went to Rhode Island Current's four-person staff for their coverage of all ballot questions, General Assembly contests, a U.S. Senate race and the Cranston mayoral race in the November 2024 election. Senior Reporter Nancy Lavin won third place for Reporting on the Environment for her story on the offshore wind industry's struggles to overcome misinformation and negative public perception. Castro also won a third place writing award in the Single Topic Series category for five stories he wrote last December on the RIBridges data breach as the personal data of 59% of Rhode Island's population burgled from the state's public benefits system started making its way onto the dark web. Friday's awards banquet honored three inductees into the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame: Providence Journal photographer Kris Craig; Marta V. Martínez, a community oral historian and executive director of Rhode Island Latino Arts; and Providence Journal columnist Mark Patinkin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Washington Post
09-05-2025
- Washington Post
Trial of ex-high school basketball coach who conducted naked fat tests comes to a close
WAKEFIELD, R.I. — Attorneys on Friday will deliver closing arguments in the trial of a former Rhode Island high school basketball coach facing criminal charges after authorities say he repeatedly asked male student-athletes to remove their clothes while alone with him so he could check their body fat . Aaron Thomas, 57, who coached at North Kingstown High School from the 1990s until he resigned in 2021, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault.
