Photograph by Dai Sugano
Charged: Todd Lafferty, a 26-year-old former Westmont High School coach, appeared in court Oct. 4, two days after the District Attorney's office filed new charges against him.
Bail denied to coach held on sex charges
By Nathan R. Huff
Former Westmont High School girls softball coach Todd Lafferty remains behind bars, after his defense attorney's Oct. 12 motion to reduce bail was rejected by a Superior Court judge.
Citing reasons of past violations of trust and the possibility of new allegations involving force, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Robert Ambrose rejected the defense's motion to reduce the $1 million bail to $100,000.
Lafferty, a Campbell man accused of six unlawful sexual acts involving three minors over the course of four years, clenched his fists following the judge's ruling. The 26-year-old has been in county jail since his arrest on Sept. 25. Lafferty is expected to enter a plea on Oct. 19.
Defense attorney Steve Manchester suggested that bail be reduced to $100,000, with the condition that Lafferty live at home with his parents in Saratoga. He also planned to return to his job at Yahoo!, according to the defense attorney. Lafferty's parents, who were present at the hearing, were prepared to pay the reduced bail amount, according to Manchester.
Manchester argued that Lafferty had no criminal past, and would not leave town if his parents posted the $100,000 bail bond guaranteeing his court appearance. He added that Lafferty was even less likely to risk additional charges, "particularly now that he's had a taste of a few weeks in jail."
In his speech to the judge, Manchester also recounted the charges facing Lafferty, attempting to show that Lafferty had some type of relationship with all the victims and did not present a danger to the general public.
"He is not a danger to the community; I have no doubt he will make his court appearance, and he has a solid family," Manchester said.
Deputy District Attorney Charles Gillingham countered by arguing that Lafferty had already violated the trust of the victims and his parents, since one of the alleged incidents occurred inside the family home.
Gillingham also said he had received numerous phone calls from parents of Lafferty's former players supporting the defendant, and he read statements of support made by former players. Gillingham said that, given Lafferty's alleged behavior, these statements were either "naive or ignorant," and they showed that Lafferty still commanded enough trust that he could commit similar crimes if freed.
"I believe [Lafferty] is a danger to every young girl he's had contact with," Gillingham said.
The deputy district attorney also said there is evidence of forcible conduct that could create new charges. The first of the victims to come forward, a Los Gatos High School student who was 15 years-old at the time, said Lafferty used his weight to hold her down during an alleged act of sexual intercourse.
Following the judge's decision, Lafferty, handcuffed and wearing a standard jail uniform, exchanged brief words with his family. He was then led back to his cell in the protective custody block, which is the county jail wing designated for prisoners accused of or convicted of high visibility crimes.
A number of new details related to the alleged incidents emerged during the brief hearing. According to the prosecution, the first victim to come forward, Jane Doe One, first saw Lafferty while walking on the street. The two stopped and spoke briefly, exchanging contact information. Over the course of several months, they saw each other periodically, as well as conversing on the Internet. According to the victim, she thought Lafferty was a college student.
During this period there was kissing and breast touching in Lafferty's car, according to the victim. At some point, Lafferty told Jane Doe One that he was going to be coaching at Los Gatos High School. Later, he discussed his age with her. One night, the girl sneaked out of her parents' home, rendezvousing with Lafferty. At that time they returned to Lafferty's family home where they had sex. Lafferty faces unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation charges related to Jane Doe One.
More information on the two victims who came forward following Lafferty's arrest was also discussed. Jane Doe Two, a former Westmont student, allegedly met Lafferty over the Internet. According to the 15-year-old, she later met Lafferty in person, with the intention of having sex, as she said she had done with other men she met on the Internet.
Prior to commencing sex in Lafferty's car, he allegedly said something derogatory to her. She said something back and then asked to be taken home. Lafferty is charged with digital penetration and oral copulation in connection with the incident.
The third victim, a former player on Lafferty's softball team, allegedly came to Lafferty after being sexually assaulted during a vacation. She approached Lafferty because of a preexisting comfort level, she told police, and confided in him. Later, Lafferty is alleged to have touched the 15-year-old's breasts and inserted a finger into her vagina. She told him to stop and he did, according to the victim. Lafferty faces charges of digital penetration and lewd and lascivious behavior in connection with his former player.
Nonetheless, many of Lafferty's former players continue to pledge their support for him.
"Todd is one of the best coaches I have ever had. Todd has taught me so much. I always look back at old pictures of my team that he coached, and only have good memories," one former player wrote.
Staff Writer Steven Raphael contributed to this report
Campbell, California
