Opening statements set in ex-coach’s trial in Louisville in death of football player

Arguments due in high school football death trial

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Opening statements are scheduled in the trial of a former Kentucky high school coach charged with reckless homicide in the death of one of his football players.

The arguments scheduled Thursday follow four days of legal wrangling and the selection of 15 jurors to hear the case against former Pleasure Ridge Park High School coach David Jason Stinson.

Stinson is being tried on reckless homicide and wanton endangerment charges connected to the death of 15-year-old Max Gilpin, who collapsed while running in 94-degree heat last August and later died. It is an unusual case of a coach being prosecuted for a player’s death.

Prosecutors say Stinson should have foreseen dangers in the way he ran practice. Defense attorneys have said prosecutors can’t prove Stinson did anything to cause the death.