Family balks at choking investigation

LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) - A Lawrence family is questioning the way police are handling a case involving a former football coach at Lawrence Central High School.

The school district suspended and then fired coach Desmoin Cooksey last week after a student accused Cooksey of choking him. Now, the student's family is unhappy because the Lawrence Police Department detective investigating the case wanted the student to take a polygraph test.

"It's not fair to ask victims to have to go further to prove the veracity of the statements they are making" attorney Tara Melton said.

Lawrence police said that because the case is still under investigation, they cannot comment on any specific part of the case. But Gary Woodruff, Lawrence Police communications director, said in general, detectives may ask a victim to take a polygraph or voice stress test to help corroborate some statements.

"It's a tool for a detective to use on occasion if they feel like there may be some facts in dispute," Woodruff said.

Last week 24-Hour News 8 sat down with the student and his mother, who asked not to be identified.

"I send my son to school, and he is almost killed," the mother said then.

The teen’s eyes were bloodshot, he says from being choked by his football coach. Medical records show the injuries are consistent with choking.

The student said then that Cooksey told him and two other students to meet him in his office. The student said Cooksey confronted the three seniors about rumors involving the coach and a girl at the school.

According to the police report, Cooksey grabbed the student around the neck.

"(Cooksey) was choking me nice and tight,” the student said, “and my buddy jumped on him and said, ‘Get off of him.’"

Police expect to hand their investigation over to the county prosecutor's office this week.