SCOTTSDALE — A sex-abuse case against a former pro football quarterback who used to work as a substitute teacher and assistant coach at a high school here has been dismissed by a judge.
Tom Porras, 49, was arrested last April and charged with sexual abuse and misdemeanor sexual indecency involving a 17-year-old female student at his home, according to police.
Porras, who retired from pro football in 1996, was a substitute teacher at Saguaro High as well as an assistant football and track coach.
On Tuesday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Helene Abrams granted a request by the County Attorney's Office to dismiss the case without prejudice, meaning that the case can be refiled by prosecutors.
Prosecutors wanted the case thrown out because they disagree with the judge's decision in January to eliminate two confessions Porras made to police involving the incident.
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Barnett Lotstein, a spokes-man for the County Attorney's Office, said Wednesday that prosecutors plan to file an appeal soon in the state Court of Appeals regarding the judge's decision to throw out the confessions.
Lotstein also said that even if the appeal is not granted, prosecutors will still proceed with a case against Porras and refile charges.
Porras' lawyer has argued that his client's constitutional rights were violated when police officers continued to question Porras after he attempted to invoke his right to remain silent and seek an attorney.
Porras played a combined 17 seasons in the Canadian Football League, the Arena Football League and defunct United States Football League. He led the Hamilton Tiger Cats to the CFL's Grey Cup championship in 1986.
