Coach Acquitted in Player's Heatstroke Death
A Kentucky jury deliberated only 90 minutes before acquitting a high school football coach yesterday in the heatstroke death of a 15-year-old player. The coach was accused of ordering his players to run a series of sprints on a 94-degree day, refusing to relent even after some began vomiting. The defense argued that Max Gilpin was more susceptible to the heat because he used a drug for attention-deficit disorder and a dietary supplement.
Observers say that, despite the acquittal, the trial sends a message that coaches have to err on the side of caution on hot days. See High School Coach Charged in Player's Death