By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Feb. 15, 2001
A Meridian High School teacher was injured Wednesday after attempting to break up a fight between two students.
MHS Principal James Bounds said art teacher Steve Westbrook was recuperating at home after suffering a fracture to his leg. Westbrook may have a cast placed on his leg on Friday, Bounds said.
Lt. Wade Johnson of the Meridian Police Department said school authorities filed affidavits against one 15-year-old boy for simple assault and disturbance of a public place. The 16-year-old boy with whom he allegedly fought was charged with disturbance of a public place.
The 15-year-old has been placed in custody at the Lauderdale County Juvenile Center, Johnson said.
No charges have been filed in connection with the teacher's injury.
Johnson said the fight occurred around 1 p.m. in the activity building in an art classroom. Bounds said he is not sure what led the students to fight, he said.
Both boys have been suspended from school, he said.
The fight is the second such incident at Meridian Public Schools in as many days.
Justin Thomas, a 16-year-old boy charged with aggravated assault on Tuesday, remains in custody at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility on $20,000 bond. Thomas was charged with using a straight edge razor to slash the throat of another student, who was transported by Metro Ambulance to Rush Foundation Hospital where he received eight stitches to the right side of his neck to repair a three- inch gash.