The Incident
According to trial testimony, the incident with the teacher's aide happened on September 30, 2005 about twenty minutes before classes began at Paris High School, however the testimony was conflicting. Teacher's aide Cleda Brownfield claimed to have locked the school building's door at 8:05 am in accordance with school policy. Brownfield testified that Cotton approached her, attempting to enter the building "saying she had to go to the restroom." Brownfield allegedly told Cotton she would have to use a restroom in the cafeteria until the building was opened at 8:30. Cotton allegedly asked to see the nurse to get her medication. Cotton left, then returned when she saw several white students being allowed to enter. Cotton asked why they were allowed to go in and she was not. According to Brownfield and teacher Jerry Fleming, Cotton then allegedly told Brownfield "I'll knock your block off" and attempted to push her way in. Brownfield allegedly put her hand up "in a defensive posture" and Cotton allegedly "responded by shoving her." According to defense witnesses, Fleming and Brownfield shoved Cotton and injured her. Medical reports revealed Cotton sustained a contusion to her head and a cut on her hand, as well as a strained neck. School authorities then summoned Paris Police officer Brad Ruthart (a school resource officer assigned to the campus), who then met with both Brownfield and Cotton about the incident.
According to Ruthart's testimony, Brownfield "was crying, very upset, holding her arm. I asked her if she was OK, and she said she was not. I felt she needed medical help. She was so upset she had difficulty talking." Ruthart testified that Cotton, who was being held in the office, "was very calm, didn’t appear to be a threat" at this point. According to Brownfield's statement, she wanted to return to work but was told by Ruthart to go to the hospital. Several teachers testified that Cotton instigated the attack. Several students testified that Brownfield and teacher Jerry Fleming "shoved first." Ruthart stated he preferred to believe Brownfield's version, and she was "mild-mannered, soft-spoken, a grandmotherly type."
Cotton did not testify at the trial. Brownfield testified that Cotton never requested to visit the nurse's office, and Ruthart testified that Cotton made no mention of needing to visit the nurse's office when he questioned her about the incident afterward. He also admitted that he never questioned her regarding her injuries or needing to visit the nurse.
Approximately two hours after the incident Brownfield was placed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital by ambulance. However, no evidence of injuries to Brownfield was ever produced at trial. Cotton's mother also drove her to the emergency room for the cut on her hand, head contusion and sprained neck that she suffered during the exchange.
Read more about this topic: Shaquanda Cotton
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