Softball coach facing sex charges decides against preliminary trial
Suspect, arrested in 2000, expected to be arraigned
Settlement attempts fail
By Gloria I. Wang
The former Los Gatos High School coach accused of sexual acts with a minor may finally go to trial after a series of delays, attempted settlements and an aborted preliminary trial.
Todd Lafferty, 27, was scheduled for a preliminary trial July 9, in which the judge was to have decided whether or not there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a formal trial. But Lafferty's lawyer informed Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Chuck Gillingham on July 2 that Lafferty wanted to waive his right to a preliminary trial.
Lafferty's attorney, Steve Manchester, had requested a preliminary trial after a February attempt for early resolution failed. The trial would have required the testimony of the four alleged victims as well as the primary investigators in the case, but not of Lafferty himself.
Gillingham said he did not know the reason for Lafferty's decision; Manchester could not be reached for comment.
On July 9, Lafferty met with Gillingham, Manchester and Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Jerome Nadler to sign a document waiving his right to a preliminary trial.
Within the next two weeks, Lafferty will be arraigned and enter a plea, which he has not done since his September 2000 arrest. Gillingham said that the trial will begin in late August or early September--at least six weeks from the date of arraignment.
Lafferty, a former West Valley College student, Westmont High School coach and Los Gatos High School girls' softball coach from 1998 to 1999, faces seven charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation, digital penetration and lewd and lascivious acts, all with a minor.
Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police arrested Lafferty on September 25 at his Campbell apartment. Detective Randy Bishop had conducted a seven-month investigation on Lafferty after the police received reports of possible misconduct from Child Protective Services.
The alleged sexual acts with four different underage girls took place between 1995 and 1999. In 1995, Lafferty, then 21, started a lengthy relationship with a 17-year-old Westmont High School softball player. From this relationship, Lafferty has been charged with one count of digital penetration with a minor.
The first victim, known as Jane Doe One, was a 15-year-old Los Gatos High School student when she met Lafferty walking on the street. They saw each other and chatted online for several months; during that time, there was alleged kissing and breast-touching in Lafferty's car, as well as sexual intercourse at his parents' home in Saratoga.
Jane Doe Two, a 15-year-old who met Lafferty on the Internet, says she intended to have sex with men she met online. Lafferty is charged with digital penetration and oral copulation with the girl in his car.
The last victim was on Lafferty's softball team and was 15 when she interacted with him. With this victim, Lafferty is charged with digital penetration and lewd and lascivious behavior.
Lafferty was held in county jail until February, when his parents posted the $1 million bail in property bonds. According to Gillingham, Lafferty's parents did so after he was injured while in custody.
Lafferty currently lives at his parents' home on Evans Lane in Saratoga.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
