Chess Coach Wilson facing trial July 14th
Approximately one week ago, the Columbus Dispatch a story broke about F. Leon Wilson, highly-regarded coach and founder of both The Chess Learning Center and the KnightMare Chess Club. Sources in Columbus, Ohio report that Wilson was arrested on charges of inappropriate contact with a minor during a coaching session.
A 4-year old girl told her father that Wilson touched her improperly on April 7th at the Prep Academy School in Polaris. The father reported the matter to the Delaware County April 9th to authorities and based on the singular testimony of the girl, Wilson was arrested after he returned from an overseas chess tournament.
Wilson, 61, was in Delaware County Common Pleas Court last Friday on May 1st and plead “not guilty” to counts of “gross sexual imposition”. He is free after posting the $250,000 bond. The initial $500,000 municipal court bond levied by the Delaware County Jail was reduced to $250,000 because the adjustment of the charge from “rape” to “gross sexual imposition”.
Wilson initially faced a charge of rape, a first-degree felony, in Delaware Municipal Court, but that charge was dismissed pursuant to the grand jury’s indictment. (see article)
Although Wilson maintains his innocence, several of the schools have immediately cut ties. This amounts to more than a hundred chess players and more than a dozen schools. Wilson has been teaching chess for the better part of a decade is an active tournament competitor and a Life Member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF). He also has active teaching certifications with the USCF and FIDE, the world chess federation.
Wilson with fellow competitors
at the 2014 World Amateur Championship in Singapore.
Photo by Frank Johnson.
A cursory background check Wilson comes clean with only minor traffic violations. Prior to working with Prep Academy, he submitted to a rigorous background check. Following is an excerpt from Prep Academy’s Tom Runfola describing the process.
As soon as we learned of this matter we immediately contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department to offer our full cooperation and assistance.
While we are aware that Mr. Wilson has been arrested, we do not know what if any formal charges will be formally pursued, nor are we privy to the status of the investigation. In the meantime, we have suspended after-school chess classes indefinitely.
We do everything in our power to ensure that every single person who comes into contact with our children is safe, trustworthy and beyond reproach. We regularly enlist the services of outside experts with extensive law enforcement experience, including experience with the U.S. Secret Service and the Crimes Against Children Task Force, to ensure that our security protocols are as strong as possible. A thorough background check on the accused individual found no cause for concern. (see article)
On Wilson’s website, it is mentioned that he had passed background checks by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (OBCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
After the first accusation, two other charges against Wilson have been launched. One based on the accusations of a 7-year old girl at the Bexley Academy and a young lady who was 13 when she alleged Wilson abused her 10 years ago. Although the mother got the police involved in the latter case, no charges were brought. The mother stated in the interview with WBNS-10TV that “it was her word against his”. There is a legal process in these instances to determine whether such charges have merit. It remains unclear why that process was not followed. Authorities in Delaware County are determining whether that case is relevant to the recent accusations.
As far as the current cases, Delaware County sheriff’s spokesperson Tracy Whited, could not provide any details about what occurred in any of the cases. Wilson appeared on a video in his prison-issued orange jumpsuit. While leaving the hearing, the cameras followed him after which the exasperated Wilson uttered, “Not guilty.” No other information about the accusations has been released.
Video by WBNS-10TV.
The Chess Drum’s text messages to Wilson have not been returned. It is likely that he has been told by his attorney not to give statements to journalists. Thus far, the public has not heard Wilson’s side and the story has been spread around the globe via news syndication. Lori Kurtzman, who ran one of the breaking reports, told The Chess Drum that she is looking for people in the chess community who are especially close to him in an effort to provide some balance to the story.
At this point, Wilson has been presented to the world as a child molester and sexual predator prior to being proven guilty. His ultimate fate rides on the testimony of a 4-year old and 7-year old. Nevertheless, even if he is proven to be innocent, it may have irreparable damage to his reputation as a chess teacher. There are a number of questions that will be raised in this case (and perhaps the 10-year old case), but certainly there has to be balance in how Mr. Wilson has been characterized in order that he receive fairness in his trial.
Dean Narciso, “Girl says teacher sexually assaulted her at preschool,” 28 April 2015.
Lori Kurtzman, “Rape charges against chess teacher worry parents, teachers at several schools,” Columbus Dispatch, 29 April 2015.
Lori Kurtzman, “New allegations emerge against youth chess teacher,” Columbus Dispatch, 29 April 2015.
“Chess Instructor Accused Of Raping Children.” WBNS-10TV News, 1 May 2015.
Josh Poland, “Mother Speaks Out About Alleged Abuse By Chess Instructor,” WBNS-10TV News, 4 May 2015.
Thomas Gallick, “Alleged victims of chess teacher now number three,” Olentangy Valley News, 6 May 2015.
Let’s hope it’s not true! Stuff like this hurts all of us.
Let there not be a rush to judgment. As a semi-retired attorney, former Administrative Law Judge, and high school educator who continues to work with at risk youth in and out of prison, I understand how easy it is to be placed on the express train to a guilty verdict. I am particularly wary of “trained investigators” who do little more than lead child witnesses and victims to conclusions that are not their own and which often never happened.
To those working with children, don’t forget to use best practices like NEVER being alone anywhere with a minor. Make certain doors remain open and that other adults and children are always in view. There is safety for all concerned in public with multiple parties present, minor and adult.
As usual, the rule of trial by public opinion is being applied here: Guilty until (and often after) being proved innocent. Of course, I do not have all the facts in the case, but neither do the folks pronouncing judgement.
This is a most unfortunate situation, no matter how the facts (and the legal process) eventually play out.
Another domino: USCF has removed Mr. Wilson from the Chess In Education committee. (This information is available on USCF’s BINFO repository of Executive Board communications.) I don’t blame USCF for this – the optics of having Mr. Wilson remain on that particular committee at this time are unacceptably bad.
A not guilty verdict will not remove the indignity that this man will have to endure for the rest of his life. It’s a predicament that you never want to find yourself in. The legal system has zero tolerance for it and if you’re found guilty, hmm, who knows what awaits you in jail. Like Daaim said, a coach should use common sense when they are teaching or coaching children. Coach kids in clear view where there are other people around who can witness what’s going on incase an accusation is made. Who wants this gloomy cloud hanging over their head @ 61? Like the saying goes, life is what you make it and then you die.
These cases are always bad, no question. USCF had no choice in removing Mr. Wilson, though. I think the concept is similar to what happens when a prosecuting attorney is facing disciplinary action – you have to take him off the trial calendar, because you can’t risk him being disbarred while handling a case. If he is proven innocent (which is different than being found not guilty), I think he could be reinstated to the committee via EB vote, the same way he was removed.
As mentioned upthread, care in choosing the teaching environment is extremely important. When I coached, the only time I ever worked one on one with a student was in that student’s home, in a common room, with open access and at least one parent in the house at all times.
I am not an attorney, but I would think that in these types of accusations, it’s incredibly difficult to find a defendant innocent once the case has been introduced in court. You will never be able to convince the skeptics that you are truly innocent and there lies the reason we say, once an assertion of sexual misconduct is made, the damage is instantaneous and permanent. It’s even conceivable that even folks in your own immediate family may have some reservation regarding your guiltless. So, at this point, I think the best he can hope for is a not guilty verdict to avoid going into retirement in a prison.
Any update? I know this man personally.
Sad situation. Looks like Mr Wilson’s trial has been rescheduled for October.
According to that Delaware Gazette article cited above “Since Wilson’s arrest, prosecutors said several other alleged victims have come forward.”
Is several more than the two others mentioned earlier? Or is there additional alleged victims? This doesn’t sound good.
In the case of that 23 year old, her mother stated it was “her word against his” and the police investigators dropped the charge (or claim). Apparently there was no evidence to support her claim.
I jsut hope the truth comes out! Working with a child as young as 4 or 5 is already a delicate subject. Ocassionally, I do sense a lack of communication betwen parent and child. When I have received inquiries about teaching to a child this young, I always recommmend giving lessons to the parent and they promote chess as a bonding experience with their child. Surprisingly, many parents are angered by my suggestion.
Good recommendation Daaim! We are living in a very unpredictable and perilous time. “You can never be too careful” is not a sarcasm. I’d go an inch further and also endorse using Skype or some other means when instructing children under and above a certain age. It’s just not worth it.
Does anyone else on here know him personally? I am a female and I was a student of his from ages 8-15 and he was always all business. He never said an inappropriate word to me. There were always at least a few parents present, usually many other kids and adults. He would never have been alone with me. After highschool I spent a few summers helping him with camps as well. I never saw him act innapropriately. Ever. I just can’t believe any of this. I don’t want to this this is even possible. I guess you never really know.
I also knew Mr. Wilson personally. M daughter was on hi chess team for three years between 6-9 yrs old and I acted as an “unofficial” assistant to him at the schools chess team practices, travelled to many chess tournaments with he and the team, and had personal interaction with him regarding team strategies, how to best help the kids,etc. In those three years I never saw an behavior from him that I would have remotely considered innappropriate. Personally, I thought he was a bit overly self-promoting…which, I guess he was, since he said so himself 🙂 But, never anything like is being stated by the accusers. Note that all of my interactions with the team and with Coach Wilson (beside my interactions with my own daughter, of course) were in very public places. I do know that several parents would pay Mr Wilson to give private lessons to their kids, but even those (to my knowledge) were in public areas of the school or at the homes of the families in question. I, of course, couldn’t speak to what may or may not have occurred in those instances. This is all pretty surprising, to be truthful. I have no clue as to guilt or innocence but I can say I never witnessed anything pointing in the direction of misconduct.
Daaim – In a civil proceeding, judges sometimes do what you suggest, after the fact. They force the plaintiffs to pay the legal fees of the defendants if they determine that the prosecution was without merit, and malicious. This case however is a criminal situation, which means that the prosecutors have convinced a grand jury to bring charges. In other words, the taxpayer/citizens have decided that they want to spend the money to prosecute. Anyone can make accusations, but if the DA or the grand jury doesn’t see the merit, it ends there.
Even with the testimony of the 4 year old child, I would think it’s still very difficult for the prosecutor to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the incident actually happened without presenting other facts that we may not be privy to.
Another update, Coach was indicted again…
https://youtu.be/1I7pcSgF7Rc
Things are not sounding good for Mr. Wilson. All we can pray for is for the truth to prevail.
Any further update or information? It is my understanding that Mr. Wilson will go on trial on Oct. 5. Is this true?
Update!
It looks like coach fired his second attorney after she tried to have him accept a plea deal with a short prison sentence and probation. He states that he lost confidence in his lawyer and claims that she wanted to drop him as a client. The trial, which was set for a week or so from today has been delayed again until January 5th, 2016.
Here’s an article if you want to read more. The chess puns are pretty unbearable though.
https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/10/06/teacher-sex-charge-deal-rejected.html
Also, thank you everyone for not jumping to conclusions about coach Wilson’s guilt. When I see reference to him on most other media, almost everyone is declaring him guilty without knowing him or the alleged victims. It’s really nice to discuss an old friend and mentor without having to read a bunch of hate.
What happened to presumed innoncent until proven guilty? How can he get a fair trial with this judge? I hope he does not get railroaded. Does anyone know the ethnicity of the kids?
The 23-year-old woman who is now alleging abuse 10 years ago is African-American. Her mother went on a news source and described the relationship and though her face was blurred I could tell she was African-American, so the daughter is at least partially. I don’t know about the other girls.
I know that the mother of the 23-year-old who alleged misconduct ten years ago was on a news source. Though her face was blurred, I could tell she is African American. Unless her daughter is adopted, she is as well. I don’t know the race of the other alleged victims.
Any news on the trial which was supposed to be yesterday?
The trial was rescheduled to Feb 23-26.
Should add that I’m fairly certain I know the 23 yr old and her mother.
I still can’t seem to find any information about what happened to Mr. Wilson. I can’t find any information online. Has anyone heard any news about the trial?
Tough situation! Nobody wins! If he didn’t testify , he would have been toast. Now that he’s testified, it’s really sad because he sounds believable, and yet the puzzling question is, Why would a 4 year old …
The defense lawyer seems to have done a good job.
One thing I will say about the chess tables set up in the court room were ridiculous. No one gives a private lesson with two tables and two chess boards as shown. Irrelevant? I think not.
I once witnessed F. Leon Wilson pick up a kindergarten boy, carry him over his shoulder to the child’s board during a tournament. So, Mr. Wilson’s statement “The only type of contact I had with any student, I think that was the implication of the question, was high-fives; and church hugs” is not true. Just sayin.
yeah, saying the ONLY type of contact he had with any student, was high-fives, should have been enough said. Adding church hugs in a chess environment wasn’t necessary and probably won’t help much.
IMO, a church hug seems more suitable when it’s done between a parent and child. There’s nothing wrong with a coach simply telling his student, good job or well done.
In general, I would have the same opinion that he is not being tried for a hug, but the fact that he is being tried for inappropriate contact, I don’t think it was needed for him to be vivid about how he passed on his good wishes to his student. It opened up the door for prosecutors to search for inconsistencies. In fact, a commentator has already mentioned that he had observed otherwise. I just think it’s clever to answer with less when you are the defendant. In truth, we don’t really have that many cases where 4 year olds are making these types of allegations. However, I totally agree that the world has changed drastically and yes, we certainly need to be more careful when working with children.
I hope for the best, but a retrial has got to be uncomforting to Mr. Wilson. I’d like to know what specific issue caused the Jury to freeze. Anyway, if he is found not guilty, can he be repaired?
Not a juror but all are listed in court records. Easy for anyone to contact one
Coach Wilson’s case information is all online and available for public view. Delaware County Clerk of Courts case 15CRI070319 and the Jury Panel Sheet is listed 02/23/2016. Glad he was able to get the GPS monitoring device and House Arrest removed.
Found guilty.
Miserable ending for Mr. Wilson, but based on what I have observed from my own kids over the years is they don’t and can’t hold on to secrets. Good or bad, they will sooner or later let mom, dad, their best friend or even a third party on the secret. I wish Mr. Wilson the best.
I was a juror on the case. We were told that we are allowed to say anything we want about the case now that it is over. Before we were not allowed to research the case, discuss it, or have it discussed in our presence. I can answer any questions any of you have barring any personal information about either myself or the victims. Both girls who were independent of each other, and attending different schools described incidents with a remarkable degree of similarity taking place. There were discrepancies in F. Leon Wilson’s accounts and he was not able to show lack of opportunity (which is not damning in it of itself). He was not able to provide any reason the victims parents or the victims themselves had to make up the allegations. I myself have questioned juries decisions to incarcerate someone based on the testimony of a child, but hearing the children themselves speak about the incidents left no doubt in my mind that they were telling the truth. The body language they displayed and their knowledge of adult topics showed that something clearly happened. I found this forum the night after the decision and figured i could possibly shed some light. I know I would want answers if someone i knew and trusted had been convicted of an offence of the severity of this.
Strange that no one defending Mr. Wilson in this thread has asked a question of this juror.