Former teacher marries student

Matthew Shane Wester

A Blount County high school teacher, who was previously indicted on charges of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student, married that same student over the weekend.  According to public records 37 year old  Matthew Shane Wester,  married 18 year old Amy Nicole Cox,  in Gulf Shores on Saturday.  Authorities said this could impact the criminal case against Wester, who resigned as a teacher and coach at Cleveland High School.  Wester was indicted by a grand jury in January on one count of a teacher having sexual contact with a student. Wester was placed on paid leave in November 2014 amid the allegations, but has since resigned from his position as math teacher and coach. Wester taught 10th grade advanced geometry, 11th grade geometry, 12th grade algebraic connections and 9th grade algebra. He was assistant varsity football coach and head track coach.  According to the indictment, Wester “intentionally and knowingly engaged with a male or female student under the age of 19 in sexual contact which was done for the purpose of gratifying the sexual desire of either party, to wit – kissing and spending the night with the victim.”  At the time the investigation began, he was married to someone else. The divorce was finalized in April, and Wester’s ex-wife was awarded custody of their child.  Cox graduated from high school in May, and the couple obtained their marriage license in Cullman County on June 8.  Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said she was made aware of the couple’s marriage over the weekend.Casey said that Now that the legal status of their relationship has changed, we will have to look at our case to determine how they will proceed.”  Casey also said that the Alabama Code says the husband and wife may testify either for or against each other in criminal cases, but are not compelled to do so.