Details conflict in school assault
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman Herald Staff - Published: January 13, 2009
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Hartland teen denied charges Tuesday he assaulted a school paraprofessional and threatened to stab him with a knife.
Zackary C. Read, 18, pleaded innocent in White River Junction District Court to misdemeanor charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and bringing a weapon to school. The charges carry a combined maximum penalty of two years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
According to an affidavit filed with the court by Hartford Police Patrol Officer Gabriel Streeter on Oct. 27, police responded to the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center to investigate a report of a student who had assaulted a staff member.
Police interviewed Joseph Poissant, 49, a paraprofessional who reportedly got into a scuffle with Read after Read entered the school and refused to check in with the office or identify himself, affidavits state.
In a sworn written affidavit, Read said he had entered the building to retrieve his iPod from his cousin.
"I was then asked my name and what my business was in Vocational Center," Read wrote. "I said my name doesn't matter and I kept walking."
Police said Poissant stood in a doorway and tried to block Read's way, but what happened next remains in dispute. According to Read's affidavit, Poissant grabbed Read's shirt. Poissant claimed he did not, affidavits state.
Both Read and Poissant's accounts of the skirmish agree on the fact Read put Poissant in a headlock and the two crashed to the floor, records state, and Poissant grabbed the hood of Read's sweatshirt. Poissant yelled for help and a nearby teacher came and broke up the melee, police said.
Read reportedly — according to his own affidavit — left the building and then returned, again looking for his iPod, where he once again encountered Poissant.
"On my way up to get it I ran into Mr. Poissant and made a comment about stabbing him," Read wrote in his affidavit.
Douglas Heavisides, foundation skills coordinator at the school, saw Read had a knife clipped to his pocket and asked Read to hand it over, according to Heavisides' affidavit. Read gave Heavisides what was described as a folding knife, and Heavisides gave it to police, affidavits state.
Assistant Director Charles Reibel referred all questions Tuesday to Director Michael Redington, who could not be reached for comment. Read's status at the school is unknown. He will return to court March 11.
Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.
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