Ex-Coach’s Molestation Case Ready for the Jury

Jury deliberations are expected to start Monday in the case of Russell Otis, the nationally known Compton high school basketball coach accused of sexually molesting a player.

Attorneys on Friday wrapped up their closing statements in the case, in which the former Dominguez High School coach has denied wrongdoing.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Diana Martinez told jurors the case is not about what happens on the basketball court.

Otis began coaching basketball at Dominguez High in 1987 and built a powerhouse program. He received a lucrative Nike contract, produced top recruits for big-name colleges and won four state championships.

“You have now seen the two faces of Russell Otis,” Martinez told jurors. “You have seen Russell Otis the successful basketball coach. What is at issue is the other side of Russell Otis. Don’t be swayed, distracted by the success of the defendant.”

The prosecutor said the other side consists of a sexual predator who betrayed his players’ trust, respect and confidence. She said Otis’ success as a coach gave him access to his sexual preference: boys.

Otis is accused of molesting a 17-year-old former player at least twice last fall. The former coach is charged with sodomy, oral copulation with a victim under 18, annoying or molesting a child and unlawful sodomy with a victim under 18. If convicted on all counts, he could get up to nine years and eight months in prison.

The former coach denies all the allegations. His attorney, Leonard Levine, says that most, if not all, the witnesses against Otis have lied. Former players from as far back as 1988 testified that Otis molested them when they were on the team.

Money and jealousy were also factors in the accusations against Otis, Levine said. “This case isn’t about justice. It’s about greed,” he told jurors. “Don’t ever underestimate the lure of bringing down a hero.”

Otis was fired as coach and physical education instructor in February. Officials attributed the termination to his failure in 14 years of teaching to obtain permanent credentials.