The former South San Francisco high school football coach accused of kissing a 15-year-old student and rubbing her thigh during a ride home is heading straight to trial after waiving a preliminary hearing on the evidence.
Mark Avery Turner, 41, of South San Francisco, has pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony counts of child molestation and trying to dissuade a witness. On Wednesday, Turner waived his right to a speedy trial and was held to answer on all counts. He returns to court Jan. 30 to enter a Superior Court plea and potentially set a trial date.
Turner served as the El Camino High School coach for several years and before his arrest was hired as part of the campus security team.
According to prosecutors, Turner gave the girl a ride home after basketball practice July 1, 2014, and, while parked in front of her home, rubbed her leg several times. He allegedly asked if she thought of him as more than just a coach and kissed her cheek.
Turner made the girl promise not to tell anyone about the incident but she did share with several friends and word eventually made its way to her parents who contacted police, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The South San Francisco Unified School District fired Turner after his arrest.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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