Witnesses testify in trial for Cleveland dance teacher accused of sexually assaulting former students
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Terrence Greene
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Witnesses took the stand Wednesday in the jury trial for a dance instructor accused of sexually assaulting more than a half-dozen of his former students.
Terence Greene, 57, was a former teacher at the Cleveland School of Arts near Stearns Road and Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland for 19 years.
Witnesses stood in front of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelley. One witness explained they were the parent of a kid who attended the school. That child stopped attending because of Greene’s alleged actions; the witness claims their kid has not been the same since.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said from 1998 to 2019, and during his time as the dance teacher, Greene allegedly sexually assaulted nine students, all under the age of 18, in the dressing room of the school, at events they traveled both to in and out of state, in his car, and at his residence near Churchill Avenue and Orville Avenue in Cleveland.
Another witness said Greene was in charge of the school’s dance program. The witness described how, one day, while at Greene’s home, he placed his hand on their thigh and asked them about their sexuality. The witness added that, from that moment on, they knew what Greene was capable of.
A third witness said they were sexually assaulted by Greene, and now struggles with trust. More still, the witness says they tested positive for HIV, and claims Greene is the one who gave it to them.
In June 2020, the victims reported this to the Cleveland Division of Police.
On Aug. 13, 2020, Greene was arrested.
On Sept. 3, 2020, Terence Green was indicted on the following charges:
• 18 counts of Rape
• 29 counts of Sexual Battery
• Two counts of Gross Sexual Imposition
• Eight counts of Felonious Assault
• 14 counts of Kidnapping
• Three counts of Disseminating Matter Harmful To Juveniles
