By Associated Press
Huntsville, AL – A Madison County Circuit Court jury has found a Country Day School teacher and soccer coach NOT guilty of harassment for poking a ten-year-old girl in the arm and stomach with a pen.
36-year-old Brett Patrick Naff was charged with misdemeanor harassment for the poke September 21st at the private school, where his mother is owner and headmaster.
Assistant City Attorney Polly Blalock portrayed Naff as a bully who embarrassed the ten-year-old in front of several classmates. The girl testified that Naff made fun of the way she spelled and poked her with the pen multiple times while other students laughed. Jurors heard the incident on tape because she was carrying a voice-activated recorder in her pocket that day.
Several Country Day students who witnessed the incident testified for the defense.
The girl is now being home-schooled by her parents.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)