DCHS teacher dismissed of police officer assault charges
Charges against a woman Midland City authorities said assaulted a police officer were dismissed in municipal court on Wednesday.
Midland City Judge Will Matthews dismissed third-degree assault and obstructing governmental operation charges against Mary Helen Crawford with prejudice, which means the case can not come up again in court.
According to Midland City Police, Crawford grabbed Officer Anthony Hall during the arrest of Mark Allen Carpenter, who was charged last month with intent to distribute child porn.
Authorities said Crawford was at the scene with one of Carpenter’s relatives, but that warrants were not obtained for her arrest on that day.
Midland City Prosecutor Robert Brogden said he asked Midland City police officials for video of the incident but it was never received. Brogden also questioned why charges against Crawford were not brought the day the incident allegedly occurred last month.
“In my 37 years there has never been an assault on an officer or obstruction of government operation where the suspect was not arrested that day. Plus, the officer who she allegedly assaulted is not here to testify,” Brogden said.
Midland City Police said Hall is currently serving in Iraq.
Crawford, who is a teacher at Dale County High School, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
She has since returned to work, Dale County Schools attorney Chad Stewart said.
She has been an educator for 31 years.
Brogden, who represents Carpenter in Dale County Circuit Court, said he was not aware Crawford’s case allegedly occurred at the time of Carpenter’s arrest.
“But as far as I am concerned that would have nothing to do with this, because this was a city case, that is a case in the circuit,” he said.
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Reader Reactions
So, for future reference:
Grabbing policeman = no crime
Giving policeman finger = $15,000 bond.
HELLO?!?!?! The obvious reason she was not terminated: tenure! Why can’t there be a morality clause inserted as an attachment on teachers/school staff contracts? Tenure or not, from the recent history of our school officials, we not only need it, but demand it. Our kids deserve it.
Why is this teacher allowed to even stay with the school? I hope the school board gets rid of her. Defending someone that was dealing in child porn…now that’s a role model to look up to.
I personally think the judge was in the wrong for what he did. I use to work with the officers in Midland City. The officers do their job and the judge dismisses the cases. I had a friend get off of charges b/c the judge was a family friend. I think that is dead wrong.
- 13A-6-22(a4)Assault in the 3rd Degree: (a) A person commits the crime of assault in the third degree if:(4) With intent to prevent a peace officer from performing a lawful duty, he causes physical injury to any person.
- 13A-10-2(a1) Obstruction of Gov. Ops.: (a) A person commits the crime of obstructing governmental operations if, by means of intimidation, physical force or interference or by any other independently unlawful act, he:(1) Intentionally obstructs, impairs or hinders the administration of law or other governmental function.
Why is it that a teacher of children is defending someone that is in possession of child pornography. I’m glad my children don’t go to school there because she sure won’t teach my kids. That is unbelievable, she is a teacher of children. Sex offenders have too many rights.
It would be interesting to hear what the teacher has to say. My daughter was a student of hers and is shocked that this happened with her and her son.
My step-daughter, my niece, and my daughter had problems with this teachers attitude. She even cocked one with me. She was very unprofessional, ND rude. When I reported it to the school (when it happened to the third child), they said, she had been with them for a very long time, and since it was close to the end of the school year, let’s make the best of it. NOTE: none of the above children had problems with their other teachers all through high school, just her.
Wait a minute; let me get this straight.
A TEACHER was trying to defend a man who was being arrested for attempting to distribute child pornography?
And a judge dismissed charges against her? So apparently he thinks child pornography is okay. And also he’s on board with citizens attacking police officers who are trying to do their jobs.
I don’t expect much from someone dealing in pornography but a teacher and a judge? Come on. Have some self-respect and act like you deserve the titles you have.
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