Former Walter Payton College Prep Coach Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault Of Students
Sun-Times Reporting
CHICAGO -- George Turner, pleaded not guilty Monday to the alleged sexual assault of two 15-year-old female students.
During arraignment before Judge James B. Linn, Turner, 46, former basketball coach at Walter Payton College Prep, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and four counts of criminal sexual assault, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.
His next court date is June 9.
Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Kathleen Muldoon said Turner began assaulting the first victim on Dec. 20, 2007, touching her breasts in the athletic director's office.
On other occasions, he engaged in oral sex with the girl, Muldoon said. Some of the incidents occurred in Turner's car, she said.
On Feb. 7, Turner drove the girl to an "adult sex store," where he purchased two vibrators and a "pair of shorts," Muldoon said. He then drove the girl to the lakefront, told her to take off her clothes and put on the shorts.
He later gave the girl the items to keep, Muldoon said. "The vibrator and shorts have been recovered from victim No. 1."
On Feb. 28, Turner allegedly touched the breasts of another girl, also 15. The second victim told the first victim, and they reported the incidents to authorities the following day, Muldoon said.
Turner's lawyer, William Laws, said the coach has been married for 17 years and has two children, including a 15-year-old daughter. A graduate of Wheaton Central High, he previously coached a semi-pro basketball team in Michigan.
Chicago Public Schools spokesman Mike Vaughn said Turner worked as a boys basketball coach, but is no longer employed
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