Former Western Heights Coach Found Guilty Of Rape

Friday, April 25th 2014, 10:47 am

By: News 9

A former Western Heights coach has been found guilty of rape.

At about 10:30 a.m. Friday, the judge handed down a guilty verdict for Tyrone Nash, who was charged for having sex with a Western Heights student.

The allegations were first brought to light when the student came forward claiming she had a sexual relationship with Nash from 2010 to 2011. On Wednesday, the student testified they had sex more than 10 times.

The state and the defense both agreed to waive the jury trial.

Judge Jerry Bass reviewed all the evidence presented in the case. Friday morning, he told Tyrone Nash that a responsible teacher would handle several situations differently. The judge said a teacher and student exchanging 4500 texts in a year and half is not normal.

The judge also said the 16-year-old victim testified many intimate details about Nash and his home. He found Nash guilty on all five counts of second-degree rape and five counts of forcible oral sodomy.

Assistant District Attorney Gayland Gieger was pleased with the verdict.

"Nash as a teacher held responsibility over children in our community and I'm afraid he has done irreparable damage to this [victim,]" Gieger said.

Nash's defense attorney David Slane said his next step is to make sure Nash does not do prison time.

Rape in the second-degree carries a punishment of up to 15 years on each count. Forcible oral sodomy carries a punishment of up to 20 years on each count.

Nash's sentencing is set for May 29. He will be in custody at the Oklahoma County Jail until then.