Photo Credit: Eric Evans

M-A assistant cross country coach Kelly Weston, who was accused earlier this year of threatening three boys who kicked a ball against his trailer, began trial on Monday, December 7^th.  If convicted, Weston could face up to a year of jail time, or nothing at all.

In early May, three boys (two twelve-year olds and one eleven-year old) kicked a soccer ball against the side of Weston’s trailer.  Weston allegedly confronted them, shouting that he “hates [their] kind and hates Mexicans” and that he “could kill [them] right now.”  One of the boys also accused Weston of pushing him as he spoke.

Weston insists that the accusations are false; he apparently reprimanded them, but did not use hateful language and never pushed any of the boys.  A key witness to his defense is a former M-A coach himself, who was on the phone with Weston at the time.

Weston was apparently strongly urged to plead guilty and to accept reduced misdemeanor charges, but refused to do so in order to prove his innocence despite the judge’s insistence.  A guilty plea would also jeopardize his coaching position at Menlo-Atherton, a loss he is unwilling to risk as he appears confident that the ruling will go in his favor.