BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) — Court officials say a longtime piano teacher awaiting a jury’s verdict on charges he sexually assaulted an underage student has shot himself outside a New Hampshire courthouse.
Authorities say 75-year-old John Goodwin, of Atkinson, went on trial this week on six counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. Prosecutors say he repeatedly assaulted the student, who is now 24.
Court officials say the jury was deliberating when Goodwin shot himself Friday morning outside Rockingham County Superior Courthouse. He wasn’t in custody at the time.
WMUR-TV reports that the former student testified that he didn’t come forward until 2013 because he was embarrassed. The station reports Goodwin’s lawyer acknowledged that his client was “touchy-feely” but said he didn’t commit a crime.
Court officials say Goodwin was airlifted to Boston Medical Center.
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