CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials’ efforts to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against the district by a former student who was sexually assaulted by his band teacher have failed.
CMS hoped its insurance policy was enough to stop the student from suing but a federal judge recently decided the district’s insurance coverage isn't enough to keep the case from moving forward.
"It gave me a little strength when I got the news,” said former student Maurice Grier.
Grier lives in Virginia now but he used to be a student at West Charlotte High School.
When he was a student there, the band director, Duncan Gray, sexually assaulted him in 2011.
"It was a very trying time for me. It tested my faith in ways. It made me not believe in God for a while. It really pushed me to my limits,” Grier said.
Gray is on probation now, after he pleaded guilty to indecent liberties with a student.
Not only is Grier suing his former band director, he is also suing CMS.
Grier's attorney said the district hired the band director despite his well-documented history of inappropriate sexual behavior with students.
"Our sincere hope, as any plaintiff would be, is that by bringing the case, showing what happened, it does cause changes. It causes changes in how people are vetted and how they're trained and retained,"
Channel 9 asked CMS if it has changed any of its hiring processes but the district said it cannot comment about any cases that are tied up in litigation.
As Grier’s case continues to move toward a trial, he has become one of the prestigious scholars in the annual, nationally acclaimed Forbes 30 Under 30 program.
He’s discussing his entrepreneurial ideas with others in the program now, but one day, Grier wants to go to law school.
Along the way, he hopes sharing his story will help other victims share theirs too.
"Whatever the outcome, if, at the very least, it empowers and encourages someone to speak about their experiences, that's enough for me,” Grier said.
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