Coach Accused Of Using Suggestive Language About Teen To Stand Trial

MCKEES ROCKS (KDKA) -- Two of the actions attributed to suspended Sto-Rox girls assistant basketball coach William Griffin III were the focus of a hearing Friday.

Griffin was suspended after allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female student surfaced.

The alleged victim, who was 15 at the time of the incident, says he grabbed her by the side during practice despite her protests, which made her feel uncomfortable. Griffin's lawyer argued otherwise.

"There were over sixty practices, there were twenty four games," said defense attorney Blaine Jones. "That's 84 different interactions and there are allegations of one single practice of the grabbing of the side. We're not talking about grabbing of a sensitive area, so to speak. This is a basketball coach positioning players."

Her boyfriend at the time testified he saw Facebook posts from Griffin seeming to brag about sharing his girlfriend.

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According to the criminal complaint, police say Griffin wrote: "…we share."

The boyfriend responded: "[Expletive] Griff. All mine. "

Then, Griffin allegedly replied: "Either we share… or its all mine. I will send it back when I'm done."

Jones thinks there's no connection.

"There's no connection. Zero. Zilch," said Jones. "No connection whatsoever. I asked the young man if the name of his girlfriend was in it, he said no. It was entered into evidence. There's no mention of her name. No mention of anything to do with her. I asked the young man if coach Griffin ever once mentioned his girlfriend's name in the nine months that he coached him and he said no. There's no connection," says Jones.

Even so District Judge Mary Murray ordered Griffin to stand trial on all counts. The girl's mother is satisfied for now.

"We're happy the charges were held and that it's going to trial," she said.  "That's basically all I can tell you guys at this time."

The defense hoped the district judge could have disposed on the case at the magistrate level.

"We would have liked to have settled it here but we'll have our day in court downtown and we will be ready," said Jones. "And remember Mr. Griffin didn't testify yet so we do have that as well."

Both charges are harassment. One, a third degree misdemeanor, the other a summary offense.