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Wrestling coach testifies in trial for ex-cop
Posted: 03.23.2012 at 12:14 PM
Updated: 03.23.2012 at 4:10 PM
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Joshua Carrier  / FOX21: file photo
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The man who coached the wrestling team at Horace Mann Middle School during the time his assistant allegedly sexually assaulted members of the team testified during the sixth day of the trial.

Joshua Carrier is on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting at least 15 boys on the team while working as a volunteer wrestling coach in the 2010-2011 season. Wrestlers have accused Carrier of inappropriately touching them during "skin checks" he performed.

John Popovich, the head wrestling coach at the time, said weigh-ins and skin checks were performed before morning practices during the season. He said he told the boys they had to wear "tighty whities" type underwear or be naked for the weigh-ins and checks, which were performed in front of other wrestlers unless someone was shy, in which case the coaches would do the check in the shower area.

"Something everybody needs to understand, weigh-ins in the nude is a very rare occurrence," he said.

He said if a wrestler did choose to weigh-in naked, coaches would not check the genital area.

More on the Carrier trial
Dad who warned cops testifies 
Alleged victims take the stand 
Man saw officer touch boys 
Jury sees disturbing video 
Josh Carrier trial underway 

Popovich said Carrier helped with the weigh-ins, but he said no coaches ever touched the boys during the team checks. If a coach saw something during the "visual check" he would tell the boy to see a doctor, and the boy would then need to bring a doctor's note back to practice clearing him to wrestle again.

The boys who have testified so far said Carrier touched their genitals during checks he made when he pulled them out of class. Popovich said he was aware of Carrier requesting kids be pulled out of class for the checks but said he told Carrier not to be alone with them. A few boys who testified said the school's security guard, Nick Graham, was in the room during the alleged incidents, but others said Carrier was the only adult in the room.

Popovich said Carrier helped with duties on and off the mat, and he even gave Carrier and award for going "above and beyond."

The former coach quit at the school and has since moved out of the state.

"This kind of stuff bothers me but it could happen to anybody," he said.

Carrier is a former Colorado Springs Police officer who was a school resource officer at the school the year before the accusations. He faces more than 200 charges and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. The trial continues Monday.

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