As reported in the Longview News-Journal today, Coach Steve Mulkey resigned from Union Grove ISD. According to the News-Journal article, “[school] officials have not said what the investigation involved.” Well, anyone who has been following this blog knows exactly what the investigation involved, but I’ll add some details.
On August 15, 2012, six women were deposed (under oath) by two school district attorneys in the presence of the superintendent, a court reporter, and me. The names of three victims were already known, but three more stepped forward. The nature of the testimony varied from verbal solicitation and providing alcohol to minors to the forcible rape of a 14-year-old girl.
In my opinion, we had enough evidence to convict Steve Mulkey criminally, but for the expiration of the limitations period. In addition to the women who testified, we have produced the names of two male witnesses who can corroborate some of the victims’ testimony. One of these men told me that Coach Mulkey held him by the throat against a wall and warned him not to talk about Coach Mulkey’s ongoing relationship with one of the female students.
The school district asked us not to talk about the investigation while it was ongoing, and we respected that. But now the cat is out of the bag, and it’s time to say a few words to the folks on the Supporters of Coach Jerry Sandusky Steve Mulkey Facebook page. Nobody wants to believe that a friend, relative, father-figure, etc. has done something scandalous or immoral. I get that, because I’ve been faced with troublesome accusations against friends and relatives. Some turned out to be true, and some were false.
In either case, you have to withhold judgment until you hear the whole story. Granted, only a handful of us have heard the evidence, so I’m not asking Mulkey’s friends to consider him guilty, at least not yet. But instead of waiting to hear what some of us already knew, you started shooting the messengers and blaming the victims. Shame on you, especially those of you who smeared the victims as tramps, sluts, etc. You had better pray to God that he shows you more mercy than you showed them. If your daughter got raped as an adolescent, would you want people talking about how she was a slut and she probably brought it on herself?
A lot of people were angry that we posted information on Facebook. Well, Facebook did exactly what we wanted it to do: it identified new victims and new witnesses, particularly among the target population. Unconventional? Sure it was unconventional, but so what? Unfortunately, the publicly-known victims were attacked so viciously that it probably deterred other victims / witnesses from coming forward. But the truth is going to come out, regardless of whether anybody likes it.
The state board of teacher certification has given Coach Mulkey until September 18, 2012 to submit a written response to the allegations against him or appear in Austin for an investigative interview. Alternatively, he could surrender his teaching certificate. I’ll post an update when I hear something.
In the meantime, my earlier offer still stands. If Coach Mulkey wants to tell his side of the story, we’ll post it here.
….and the truth shall prevail!
Very good news!
so proud of u Ty-always stand for what u believe in-Trust in God-and yes, the truth did come out-much luck with all of your journeys-much love from THE GROVE.
I agree with u, April. Thank u, Ty Clevenger for helping these women (and possibly others). Thank u for all of the nasty comments u endured.
well said!
Thank you thank you so much for all that you have done for us!
Sorry but IF this is true about the coach. Then shame on the girl/women for waiting so long. Enough of the BS of wanting to protect your children that would be around him now. What about all the other children over the past 20+ years.
Thank you, Thank you. To the women that came forward, I salute you, it took alot to tell your story and now that done, and Steve Miulkey has resigned, hold your heads high and know that you did what was right and just.
Not yet
Teresa,this means alot to me to come from someone I admired in school! I THANK YOU;))
Its the yangs like you who even out the yings in our universe!
not yet WHAT?
Me too!
I have no problem with you posting the facts about this case, but give me a break. To compare Mulkey to Sandusky is downright despicable. Whether everything is true or not the fact is that Mulkey has resigned, so this case is closed. There is no point in continuing to bash Mulkey or the people whose lives he changed in a positive way and that support him 100%.
I have to disagree. Just because he resigned, does not mean the case is closed. The effects of what he has done to these people will forever be with them. The case will not close for them. It is a very fair comparison to Sandusky. It is despicable for what these men have down to others, to abuse the trust placed in them is downright disgusting.
Shawn abraham fuck you, I have a division one track scholarship because of coach Mulkey, he helped me to get an education, and that fact that everyone is judging him like y’all are god? Haha last time I checked y’all aren’t. Just think a little bit, if this was you in this situation and not Mulkey, how would you feel if you got bashed on a website designed just to belittle and bash you? Ye without sin, cast the first stone!
Did not mean to sent f**k you. Very sorry it was a typo on autocorrect on my phone.
Sorry
I have not judged him, the evidence has. Please note that the Justice system was created to weigh the evidence presented and declare innocence or guilt. As Mr. Clevenger mentioned, “In my opinion, we had enough evidence to convict Steve Mulkey criminally, but for the expiration of the limitations period.”
Just because he helped you, doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of hurting others. All men are capable of very destructive things. You have a division one track scholarship because of your hard work and dedication to your craft. While coaching helps with that, he did not earn it for you. Don’t sell yourself so short. Don’t dismiss the pain caused to others simply because you benefited from Mr. Mulkey. Instead, thank God you weren’t a victim.
Thank you for your apology for the foul language you used. I appreciate your passion to protect someone you know and respect, I can only hope you will view the evidence given impartially and come to a proper conclusion of the issue.
Linda Jackson Morgan
WHO ARE YOU?
Those that came forward should not have “shame on you!!!” Obviously you have never had anything like this done to you & wow you are blessed. Who are you to judge any of them for when they spoke up? Hmm I don’t see God in your name, so I think it’s more of shame on you for judging!
FACT: Both Mulkey and Sandusky are no longer coaching.
Are there victims out there that haven’t come forward? I don’t know if there are but I am pleased.
that Mulkey resigned and is no longer coaching around minors. Just because Mulkey resigned from.
teaching doesn’t mean it is over for him the truth will come out sooner or later. Ultimately he will.
answer to God for his life on Earth.
You are both so welcome !!!
Is that a big banana behind him?
Bah Humbug!! He was always a perfect gentleman around ME but everybody has a right to their opinion. I’m not saying that it didn’t happen to other girls………I’m just saying he was always very respectful around ME.
REALLY LISA!!!You knowing my family I would have expected more from you! But its a new world every day I wake up!! SMDH BUT NOT SUPRISED!
Lisa Atchley Bell
Ok, ladies, my page is not DRAMA. My opinions are mine, people are welcome to comment on them. What I said is how I feel toward the ladies that came forward with their stories. Lisa, I am glad that you were not one of the victims, but be respectful, these ladies have been through enough and still have feelings.
Well then I guess shame on us all cause we all judge.
if all the facts are out there why wasn’t something done about this years ago instead of letting so many other students be around, why wait til he was at UG to bring it out. not just one persons child is more important than the other. the lawyer says Clevenger says he has statements and pictures why weren’t they brought out to the coaches lawyer so he could defend himself.
Because until recently all the girls did not know what was done to each other.. They all thought they were the only one. My sister did call and talk to other schools and the da about this over the years. the other attorney can get all the depos from the tea hearing.. But unless it goes to a hearing some things will not be released.. But Mulkey knows what they have.
something should of been done years ago. where the parents of these woman… I have a daughter and sure hope she has enough convidence so that she would come to me if one of her teachers did something that was inapprociate to her. I am in no way defending him and if he is guilty he should not be able to teach again. Just think something should of been done 30 years ago and instead of now.More of us parents need to let our children know that they can come to us no matter what in a situation like this, not let the teachers, co-workers or anyone else brake them.