Matthew Shane Wester And Amy Nicole Cox: Ex-Teacher Marries His 18-Year-Old Student In Alabama

Matthew Shane Wester and Amy Nicole Cox were married in Alabama after meeting in the classroom. According to the SpreadIt, Wester, 37, was Cox’s teacher at Cleveland High School when the two started a relationship. The geometry and algebra teacher was indicted in January after he was accused of “spending a night with a student.” Six months later, that student became his wife.

“[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.”

Matthew Shane Wester and Amy Nicole Cox, 18, have received some support in regard to their union, but a lot of people also feel as though Wester married Cox to save himself from the repercussions of his actions. Wester has resigned from the school after being placed on paid leave back in November.

According to NewsOXY, Wester was married to another woman when this investigation began in 2014. He and his now ex-wife have a child together. His ex now has sole custody of the child. Meanwhile, Cox graduated from high school in May, and she and Wester obtained their marriage license just weeks later.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, this union could work in Wester’s favor when it comes to going to court. Now that he is married to Cox, he can choose “spousal privilege,” which means Cox will not be forced to testify against him.

“For historical perspective, it is useful to note that spouses were once incompetent to testify for or against each other in civil or criminal cases. The only remaining vestige of this marital disqualification or incompetency is found in a statute that provides: ‘The husband and wife may testify either for or against each other in criminal cases, but shall not be compelled so to do.’ Ala. Code 1975, § 12-21-227… A spouse may take the witness stand against an accused spouse if he or she decides to do so. Such a witness may be characterized as competent, but not compellable.”

Matthew Shane Wester and Amy Nicole Cox have not commented publicly on the case, but do seem happy to be living their lives together. The photo above was posted on Instagram, the two clearly not trying to hide their love for each other. Do you think Wester and Cox are really in love? Do you think their relationship is acceptable?

[Photo via Instagram]