D-A Says Charges May Be Filed Today Against Former Skiatook Coach

There are new developments in the case against a Skiatook High School coach who's accused of videotaping girls changing clothes in a locker room. By now the videotape of former Skiatook High School

Thursday, August 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

There are new developments in the case against a Skiatook High School coach who's accused of videotaping girls changing clothes in a locker room. By now the videotape of former Skiatook High School coach Harry Red Eagle Junior setting up a video camera has been shown on television newscasts dozens of times. For three weeks, the girls featured in later parts of the tape, and two other videotapes, have wondered what will happen next in the case. A meeting Wednesday afternoon between law enforcement officials and the video voyeurism victims at the Skiatook Police Department addressed many of their concerns. "I think most of the girls are very embarrassed and they're very concerned that there may be other tapes out there that they don't know about," said Osage County District Attorney Larry Stuart.

Stuart also said that there is no evidence of additional videotapes. However, there's also no clear law saying Red Eagle Juniorâ€™s actions were illegal. â€œThe charges deal with viewing minor children and viewing the private parts of minor children," Stuart explained. If all of the victims were over the age of sixteen, Red Eagle Junior may have gone uncharged after videotaping them in private moments. "At least two of the counts will be to show that Mr. Red Eagle did in fact take the video himself,â€ Stuart said. â€œAnd that he was viewing the children and their private parts. Basically, it's for lewd and lascivious purposes. And I think using that and other portions of the tapes that are there, I think his intent will be shown."
Stuart says at least two felony charges could be filed against Red Eagle Junior Thursday.

Red Eagle Junior resigned his job once the tapes surfaced. He hasn't been seen since.
Stuart says he expects Red Eagle to turn himself in.

Some parents told News on Six reporter Tammy Marlar that they were shocked when they learned it is not illegal to videotape students in their private moments. Two Skiatook-area legislators are planning to do something about that. State representatives Phil Ostrander and Joe Sweeden are pushing for new legislation that would make video voyeurism in a school or any public facility a felony regardless of the victim's age.