A North Carolina teacher and basketball coach is facing charges after allegedly putting a 15-year-old student in a “choke hold” and strangling him until he “lost consciousness,” according to police.
Devon Murphy, 41, has been charged with felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor child abuse for the March attack, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
The criminal justice teacher and boys’ varsity coach at Douglas Byrd High School has reportedly been suspended after being arrested and booked into the Cumberland County Detention Center on Thursday, July 31.
According to his arrest warrant, Murphy allegedly assaulted the student on March 25 and caused “swelling” on the right side of the teen’s forehead, as well as knocking him unconscious.
According to the warrant, officers accused the educator of “putting his arm around the juvenile victim’s neck in a choke hold position until the victim lost consciousness.”
“The defendant unlawfully and willfully, being a person providing care and supervision because of a teacher and student relationship with [the victim], who was a child less than 16 years of age, did inflict physical injury on that child,” the police alleged.
“The physical injury inflicted caused unconsciousness and swelling on the right side of the juvenile victim’s forehead and was inflicted by other than accidental means,” per the warrant.
Cumberland County Schools (CCS) informed local CBS affiliate WNCN that it reported Murphy and suspended him with pay “as soon as the situation was brought to our attention,” according to the outlet.
Police said Saturday that the investigation into Murphy and his actions as a teacher is still “active,” and the Fayetteville Police Department’s Youth Services Unit “encourages anyone who may have information regarding this investigation, or who believes they have been victimized,” to contact the department.
“These allegations are concerning and do not reflect the standards we expect of those who serve our students,” according to CCS. “The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.”
Murphy is currently released on a $25,000 secured bond after appearing in court on Friday. He is scheduled to return for a disposition hearing on August 20.
