Jury awards $10.5 million to former CMS student who was sexually assaulted by band director

A federal jury awarded $10.5 million to a former Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools student who was sexually assaulted by a band director at West Charlotte High School nearly a decade ago.

The verdict, issued late Friday, came after four days of testimony during which lawyers for CMS sought to distance the school district from the actions of its former employee who, in 2016, pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the assault.

The jury ordered CMS to pay the former student $7.5 million. The former band director, Duncan C. Gray, was ordered to pay $3 million.

Weeping from the victim and his mother filled the courtroom as the deputy clerk read the judgement.

Read more: https://qcitymetro.com/2021/05/08/jury-awards-10-5-million-to-former-cms-student-sexually-assaulted-by-band-director/