Jury finds former Durham gymnastics coach not guilty of sex crimes against athletes
.jpg "Stephen Maness of Chapel Hill was charged with four counts of indecent liberties with a minor and four counts of sexual battery. He is the former owner of Bull City Gymnastics in Durham, where the assaults are alleged to have happened between 2013 and 2020.")
A jury found a former Durham gymnastics coach accused of taking indecent liberties and sexual battery of young female athletes not guilty on all counts Friday morning.
Stephen Maness, the former owner of Bull City Gymnastics, showed no emotion as the verdict was read. He had not taken the stand in his defense during the trial in Durham County Superior Court.
Family members, including Maness’s mother, wiped away tears as Judge Josephine Davis examined the jury forms.
Maness had been accused of four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and four counts of sexual battery.
Before his arrest in 2020, he ran an elite gymnastics training program in Durham. His accusers were former athletes he had trained between 2012 and 2020.
The girls, who were all under the age of 16 at the time, testified that Maness frequently touched athletes’ hips, chests, groin areas, shoulders. They said Maness touched them under their leotards and massaged them during practices.
In a formal statement, the Durham County District Attorney’s Office thanked the young women who testified against Maness.
“These cases are never easy, but it matters when survivors step forward. We encourage anyone in our community who has been a victim of sexual assault to know the Durham DA’s Office believes and supports you,” the statement said.
The defense argued that Maness’s hands-on coaching style was typical for high-level gymnastics and that he derived no sexual gratification from the behavior.
Shortly after the verdict was read, Maness’s accusers and their families were escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies. Once they had left the building. Maness and his parents also were escorted out of the building.
Melissa Owen, Maness’s defense attorney said she felt relieved.
“We’re very grateful for all the care and attention the jury took in this case,” Owen said.
In total, the jury deliberated for less than a day about the case.
When asked if Maness had any interest in returning to coaching, Owen laughed and said, “I don’t think so.”
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 11:43 AM.