Sentencing Delayed for Coach in Molestation Case

A judge on Monday postponed the sentencing of a Pasadena high school coach convicted of molesting a teenage boy, blaming the defense for delaying the matter a third time.

Clyde Ezra Turner, track coach at John Muir High School, has been held in the County Jail since his May conviction on two felony counts of child molestation.

“The victims in this case, and the community, are entitled to a timely resolution,” Pasadena Municipal Judge Mary Thornton House said in postponing the sentencing until Aug. 30. “This matter will not be continued any further.”

Farah Faramarzi, Turner’s attorney, asked that sentencing be delayed because a psychiatric evaluation ordered by the court and carried out by experts selected by the defense attorney was not yet available.

Turner was a nationally renowned track coach when in April 1998 he was arrested on charges of molesting two male athletes, ages 15 and 16.

He was found guilty May 13 on one felony count of committing a lewd act upon a child, and one felony count of exhibiting pornography to the same 15-year-old. Jurors deadlocked over the abuse allegations made by the second youth.

Turner, whose $100,000 bail was revoked upon his conviction, faces up to three years and eight months in prison. His attorney has said the conviction will be appealed.