ST. ALBANS, Vt. (WCAX) – The case against a former Vermont school teacher accused of sexually assaulting one of his students for years is now in the hands of the jury.
Jurors began deliberations late Friday afternoon in the case against Matthew Toof.
The case dates back to 2021 when former Georgia Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Toof allegedly sexually assaulted the victim who was a student in his class several times starting when she was 11 years old.
Toof faces aggravated sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct charges.
Prosecutors allege the acts happened at school, at the victim’s house and on vacations.
On the stand, Toof denied all the allegations against him.
“That is my answer to all of them. If I were to expand I would say that it’s ludicrous,” he said.
Before handing the case over to the jury, both Franklin County Deputy State’s Attorney Diane Wheeler and Toof’s attorney, Robert Kaplan, had final chances to address the jury. Wheeler spoke to the severity of the alleged actions and Kaplan told the jury the allegations against Toof are false.
“There is not evidence at all beyond a reasonable doubt to believe that Matt Toof, the Barney Fife of infidelity, was able to engage in this secret, five-year sexual abuse of this person,” Kaplan said.
“It was sexual acts with [the victim] that was his end desire. His scheme and his plan,” Wheeler said.
WCAX News does not identify victims of alleged abuse.