MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The teenager who was charged with beating a Rutherford County Football coach has been found delinquent of aggravated assault.
The teen admitted to attacking Coach Ron Aydelott at Riverdale High school in April. Aydelott testified that the teen walked into his office to hand in paperwork for the football team.
Aydelott warned the student about a recent in school suspension and said if it happened again or if he missed practice, they would part ways. After, he made the 17-year-old look him in the eye and the teen acknowledged that he understood what the coach was saying.
The student left the office only to return moments later allegedly saying, “I’m tired of your [expletive],” and proceeded to punch the coach.
Aydelott suffered a broken bone under his eye, nose and jaw. Days after the attack, he underwent surgery where plates were put in his face to help him heal. One more surgery may be required in the future.
The judge blocked the defense’s attempts to explain what presumably made the student react in such a violent way. During cross examination Aydelott denied ever calling the student any names prior to the incident as attorneys had previously suggested.
The trial was based on the facts surrounding the confrontation on the morning of April 21 which were never denied.
The teen has been held in juvenile detention ever since his arrest. During the disposition, where rehabilitative options are being considered, the student was called to the stand and apologized to the coach who was no longer in the room.
He told the judge he had time to think while in custody and pleaded for the judge to “give me one more chance. [I’m going to] do right.”
While in juvenile court, there’s no determination of innocence or guilt, there was probable cause to hold the teen accountable for his actions. In juvenile court there isn’t sentencing, there’s rehabilitation.
The student’s prior record of a domestic violence offense and failed anger management classes are considered when determining how to proceed.
As a result, the 17-year-old is being transferred into state custody and could remain under juvenile court supervision until the age of 19. Officials from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services were expected to determine exactly what facility he would be transferred to and what treatment he will receive.
If the teen commits a new offense after he turns 18, he will be charged as an adult and have consequences in both adult and juvenile court.
A restitution hearing is scheduled in September.
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