Kingman teacher relieved about not guilty verdict

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A schoolteacher vindicated at trial expressed relief and was critical of the decision to prosecute him for sex crimes alleged by a Boulder City teenager.

A Mohave County Superior Court jury deliberated about 20 minutes Wednesday before finding Michael Nelson, 47, not guilty on each of a dozen felony sex offense charges, including sexual assault and sexual abuse.

Nelson said he was pleased with the trial outcome, and that the speedy jury verdict speaks volumes.

“This whole disaster has been a mistake. It’s been false and it’s been terrifying,” Nelson said.

Nelson testified that he never had improper contact or involvement with the girl known to him through associations with families.

She had testified that Nelson committed a variety of sex offenses when she visited his Kingman Academy of Learning High School classroom on the first day of school in August 2013 and later that evening at his private residence when she was 17½ years old.

The defense challenged the teen’s credibility, focusing on issues involving late reporting and inconsistent versions of events.

Through cross-examination of Nelson’s accuser, defense attorney Joshua Davidson focused on her failure to report the alleged crimes for roughly three months and that she maintained cordial communication with Nelson and his wife, Jenny, during the gap in time. Davidson and co-counsel Michael Bailey described to the jury the absurdity of the girl’s claim that she willingly spent the night at the Nelson home, the same day she claimed he assaulted her in a school full of students and adults.

“I was scared and embarrassed and ashamed,” the girl testified when repeatedly confronted with her late reporting and inconsistent story details. She said she was striving to preserve harmony among her parents and the Nelsons and “trying to maintain the normalcy.”

“The alleged victim’s statements, when taken at face value, don’t even pass the laugh test,” Davidson said. “It’s a travesty that this case was filed. It should never have gone this far.”

Chatter involving the alleged victim and her friends made its way to a teacher at Boulder City High School who told the girl she was legally obligated to inform authorities. That’s what led to the police investigation, indictment and trial — an ordeal Nelson said was a nightmare.

“This has been the biggest terrifying year of my entire life and I can’t wait to start anew,” Nelson said. “I think the prosecutor, what he did was very wrong. I think what the girl did was very wrong.”

Nelson nonetheless said his belief system is such that he is committed to forgiveness. He said he is uncertain whether he can overcome any stigma and be able to revive his teaching career.

Nelson thanked his attorneys, his family, his church and other supporters.

“This community has been behind me 100 percent,” Nelson said, choking back tears. “That in itself has been the biggest blessing of my life.”