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Heated exchange between judge, Plum teacher's attorney

PITTSBURGH — One of the Plum High School teachers accused of having a sexual relationship with a student was back in court on Wednesday, and his attorney went head-to-head with the judge.

Channel 11's Brandon Hudson was in the courtroom and said he could sense the tension building before things took a personal turn, and the heated exchange played out.

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Hudson reports the judge asked Jason Cooper’s attorney if he would want his daughter involved with one of her teachers.

“Judge Cashman is a passionate person who I respect as a passionate judge,” attorney Michael DeRiso said.

Hudson spoke to DeRiso moments after the lively discussion about what’s illegal and immoral in Cooper’s case.

DeRiso argued with the judge and prosecutors about Cooper’s corruption of minor and witness intimidation charges.

“This is a very delicate and sensitive issue,” DeRiso said.

The prosecution claims the relationship between Cooper and a Plum High School student began before she was 18, when Cooper taught her chemistry.

The prosecutor told the judge the two grew closer around November 2014, which is around the time the student spent the night at Cooper’s house.

However, DeRiso says nothing happened until the student was, by law, an adult.

“I don’t agree with what happened. I don’t want what happened to happen, but again, the statute is the statute, and that’s what we’re arguing,” DeRiso said.

DeRiso also said his client, who is on house arrest, shouldn’t face an intimidation of witness charge, because he never tried to influence the victim’s testimony.

“Until the Legislature corrects the problem, the problem still exists,” DeRiso said. “I don’t think the statute Mr. Cooper was charged under corrects the problem, especially at Plum.”

Cooper’s trial is set for Nov. 30.

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