Former Vermont teacher accused of sexually abusing student found not guilty

A jury has found Matthew Toof not guilty on all counts. Toof, a former Vermont teacher and coach, was accused of sexually abusing a female student over several years. On Friday, the final day of a three-day trial, Toof took the stand in his own defense. According to court documents, Toof abused a young girl dozens of times over a six-year period while working at Georgia Elementary and Middle School. Prosecutors said the abuse began when the victim was 11. He faces several charges, including aggravated sexual assault. Toof pleaded not guilty in 2021 after his arrest. During closing arguments Friday, prosecutors said Toof abused the trust of the community and the victim with his actions. But the defense said Toof was wrongly prosecuted and charged because the alleged crimes were not adequately investigated. After the verdict, Toof's attorney, Robert Caplan, said, “His name and the reputation of the community have really suffered terrible damage, and he needs to find a way forward and build a good, successful, fulfilling life for himself.” NBC5 has reached out to prosecutors about this verdict. We have not yet received a response. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.