A video recording of the alleged victim in the case of a former New Boston, Texas, coach accused of sexual misconduct was a subject of discussion at a pretrial hearing Friday.
Zachary Tyler Moody, 41, is facing charges of an improper relationship between educator and student and two counts of indecency with a child involving a 15-year-old boy. Moody pleaded not guilty to the charges last month with the help of Texarkana lawyer Bart Craytor at a hearing before 5th District Judge Bill Miller.
At a pretrial hearing Friday, Craytor said he has filed a motion asking the court to order the state to provide the defense with a copy of the alleged victim's forensic interview conducted at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana. Assistant District Attorney Lauren Richards said that her office is prohibited by law from copying the video and said that Craytor is welcome to come to her office to view the video at any time.
Craytor said he believes he should be able to have a copy of the video and asked Miller to schedule the motion for a hearing. After a brief discussion with the lawyers, Miller agreed that both sides would file written briefs arguing their positions on the matter. Miller scheduled Moody to return to court March 23 for another pretrial hearing.
Moody is free on a $100,000 bond and is under court order to have no contact with anyone under 18. Moody was arrested April 11, 2017, the day after he allegedly cornered the boy as he was walking down a hallway in the field house, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The boy allegedly told investigators Moody blocked his path as he walked down a hall and attempted to push him into an empty locker room.
Moody allegedly touched the child's pubic area, the affidavit states. The boy reported that he rebuffed Moody's advances and left the vicinity.
The student allegedly asked a friend to tell his mother what had occurred because he was too embarrassed to speak with her about it. As the family was having dinner at a Texarkana restaurant about 6 p.m. the same day, Moody allegedly sent the boy a message on Instagram that stated, "I was being stupid, sorry."
After the boy showed his mother the message, the family reported their concerns to the New Boston Police Department.
Each of the two counts of indecency with a child by contact are punishable by two to 20 years in prison. If convicted of improper relationship between educator and student, Moody faces two to 10 years.
The case is scheduled for jury selection in June at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston.