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1 Of 2 Charges Dropped As Plum H.S. Teacher's Intimidation Trial Opens

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The trial has started for a third teacher charged in connection with the student-teacher sex scandal at Plum High School.

Former teacher Drew Zoldak is charged with intimidating a witness.

Two former teachers, Jason Cooper and Joseph Ruggieri, have already pleaded guilty and gone to jail for inappropriate relationships with students.

Zoldak is accused of outing one of the victims in front of her classmates. Authorities say the victim had an ongoing relationship with Ruggieri.

In opening arguments Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Brian Cantanzarite told jurors that when students asked why Zoldak had missed a class, he pointed to the victim and said, "Two men in suits came to interview me because of her."

Zoldak was referring to the ongoing sex scandal investigation.

The prosecutor went on to say, "This student, whose world was falling apart, was pointed out by her teacher. This isn't a momentary lapse of judgement; this is a crime. He made her question whether she should go forward."

But Zoldak's attorney tells an entirely different story.

Al Lindsay says, "The case against Mr. Zoldak is very, very weak. It didn't happen. He will absolutely deny that he said 'because of her.'"

Lindsay also said, "He did not out her… everybody knew" that she was a victim.

On Thursday, the victim is expected to share her story.

And before it's over, Zoldak will take the stand in his own defense.

Prosecutors dropped one of two witness intimidation charges as the trial opened.

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