Supporters of Burgos Accusers to Hold Vigil

In a case that left both sides longing for the justice they sought, supporters of those who accused ex-Tam High tennis coach Norm Burgos of sex abuse are holding a candlelight vigil outside the school Friday evening. The case was after the 12-member jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on either of the two charges against Burgos.

"We want to be able to provide closure for those that were affected by all of this, because a mistrial does not provide that closure," said Dana Boyd, a cousin of one of the accusers and the organizer of the vigil. "We also want to stand up for justice, because we don't feel that justice was served with this case ending in a mistrial."

Burgos was accused by two students, though prosecutors sought to connect those charges to the uncharged allegations of three other students. The allegations date back as far as 2001. Burgos was placed on compulsory leave from the school in 2006 and fired in 2008. He is appealing that termination.

After a and two days of deliberations, the jury split 8-4 in favor of acquittal on the charge of lewd and lascivious conduct, and reversed itself to go 8-4 in favor of guilt on the charge of sexual battery.

Boyd testified in the case about when her cousin first told her about the alleged inappropriate conduct by Burgos during a body fat test. She said she did not expect the District Attorney's office to seek to retry the case.

Boyd said she also hoped to provide a forum and spread awareness for those people impacted by similar alleged incidents but who have been afraid to come forward with their own accusations.

The vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the entrance arch to the campus on Miller Ave. at Camino Alto.