Alternate juror brought in for ‘naked fat test’ trial

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) —  The one and only alternate juror was brought in Wednesday for the second day of jury deliberations in the Aaron Thomas “naked fat test” scandal.

On Wednesday afternoon, the jury had to restart deliberations at 12:30 p.m after one juror was dismissed due to a “potential conflict of interest.”

It was restarted because the alternate juror was not with the jury at the beginning of deliberations mid-day Tuesday.

“Terms like conflict of interest are probably used by counsel when they ask all prospective jurors before they are selected,” Ken Schreiber from Schreiber and Schreiber Law said. “A month later, there’s a conflict of interest. I think it’s clear that something happened in those two hours in the jury deliberation room where something came out.”

Aaron Thomas, the former head North Kingstown boys basketball coach, was accused of performing “naked fat tests” on students through his fitness testing program, which he testified was strictly to help student-athletes with their confidence and performance in sports.

Thomas was charged with one count of second-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree sexual assault.

If the jury finds Thomas not guilty of the two felony charges, they will also consider a lesser misdemeanor charge of battery.

Jury deliberations will continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, awaiting a final verdict.

If there is another “potential conflict of interest” from any of the jurors, the trial will end in a mistrial.