Caverna Coach Pleads Not Guilty

By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor/Barren County Progress

 

Caverna’s former head basketball coach, Terrence Miles, pleaded not guilty on Monday morning in Hart County District Court following his arrest stemming from a video that surfaced online.

He is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal abuse, second-degree wanton endangerment, and first-degree official misconduct. However, Commonwealth Attorney Justin Baird revealed in court a second video the public has not seen.

Miles, 37, was arrested on May 2 soon after he submitted his resignation with Caverna Independent Schools. He was also a special education teacher.

Superintendent Amanda Abell said Miles submitted his resignation at the start of a meeting where she had planned to terminate him. At his initial arrest, no bond was set; however, over the weekend, a $50,000 bond was set, according to online jail records.

The Barren County Progress (BCP) obtained the 30-second video on April 30, which was recorded inside the school. The video shows a student on his back with his legs held in the air by another student (A), pinning him from being able to get up.

At the same time, the former coach removes what appears to be a belt from the waist of the juvenile being held down and then Miles hands the belt to another student (B). Student B proceeds to strike the student on the ground at least ten times with the belt while student A continues to hold the student, preventing him from escaping despite attempts to do so.

Miles can be seen laughing in the background, and he does not attempt to intervene or stop the situation. The student pinned down can be seen trying to prevent the belt from striking him several times. At the end, when he is released by student A, he grabs the belt from student B.

Miles’ defense attorney, David Cross, said he plans to take the position that the scene was “horseplay” as he attempted to seek a lower bond amount for his client in court Monday.

“There’s no danger to the community about this, there’s no flight risk, and a $50,000 bond is, I hate to use the term excessive, but I believe for what we are looking at here, what our position is going to be a bunch of horseplay by a bunch of grown boys and a teacher…[who] wasn’t thinking and made a bad decision…he’s been respected everywhere he’s ever been in his career,” Cross said.

Commonwealth Attorney Justin Baird disclosed in court that a second video, unseen by the public, surfaced during the investigation, stating he felt the $50,000 bond was accurately set.

 

“There’s two videos out there,” Baird said. “I know the public has seen one, I’ve seen both. The other one is very, very disturbing given the nature that a person that is a teacher and a coach that would, you know, the actions that the video shows, we think the bond’s set accurately.”

The defense attorney noted Miles has a “substantial” amount of community support, some of whom were present in court.

District Judge Teresa McMahan-Miller set the bond at 10% of the original $50,000, noting Miles’ low-risk assessment and to remain are current bond conditions currently in place, including no contact.

First-degree criminal abuse is a Class C felony, and the other charges are both Class A misdemeanors. If guilty, Miles could face up five to ten years in jail on the felony charges, per Kentucky Revised Statutes.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12 in Hart County District Court.

 

On May 2, BCP received a statement from Abell:

“This is an update on the status of the school district’s investigation of the incident being shared on social media. Following a thorough review and interviews with all witnesses involved, I met with the teacher this morning to terminate his employment. At the start of the meeting, the teacher submitted his resignation. A copy of his statement is attached. Both students involved in the incident have also been disciplined in accordance with school policy.

“We sincerely regret that this incident occurred and are committed to ensuring student safety remains our highest priority.”

Miles’ resignation, which will print in this week’s paper and attached below, notes regret for his actions and apologies to those involved and the community at large.

Editor’s Note: As this unfolds, other videos and concerns have surfaced, however, unrelated to this situation. We are currently requesting clarification on these.