Kids Who Assaulted Teacher Over iPod Sentenced
04.27.07 - 10:25am
The two high school students who assaulted a teacher Frank Burd, 60, in February after he had taken away the iPod from one of them, were sentenced in court yesterday.
The two students broke Burd’s neck and caused a brain injury when Donte Boykin, 18, whoes iPod Burd had taken away during class followed him into the hallway and pushed him twice from behind. James Footman, 15, who was cutting class and who did not know either the teacher or student, but seeing the incident punched, Burd three times in the face knocking him into the lockers before he fell face down on the floor.
Facing the students for the first time in court Boyd tried to show them he was more than a teacher by showing them photos of his four sons and 94-year-old father, as well as a picture of himself lying on the floor bleeding.
The Pennsylvania newspaper Centredaily in reporting on the story, wrote about Burd’s reaction in court. “Students don’t realize we’re not just teachers. We are children and brothers and sisters and parents,” Burd told the boys, his voice trembling. “I’m not that different from you.”
Addressing Footman, Burd said: “I cannot understand why someone I don’t even know sees a situation and takes an opportunity to punch me … I didn’t do anything to you. I don’t understand it.”
According to the Pennsylvania’s newspaper Footman has exhibited psychological problems and violent outbursts since kindergarten after being born to a crack-addicted mother. He was cutting class the day the incident happened.
Footman was remanded to state custody with an open-ended sentence to be reviewed every six month till he is 21. Boykin who was college bound was sentenced to a private reform school with the same open ended sentence. The judge decreed Footman to be too violent for a reform school.
Burd , who was only able to drink water for the first time two weeks ago and must wear a neck brace till May said that the external and internal scars remain even as the pain abates. He said, “I was never scared of Germantown High School. I was never scared of walking into a classroom. Now I’m scared when someone walks up behind me.”
Both students apologized to Burd in court with Boykin giving his old teacher a hug with the apology. Burd says he loves kids but has not decided whether to go back to teaching. “It’s hard, very hard, not to picture myself teaching, but I don’t know,” Burd said.
Speak Your Peace