Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

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Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

POSTED: 10:59 am EDT May 16, 2006
UPDATED: 11:37 am EDT May 16, 2006

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HENRY COUNTY, Ga. -- A Henry County high school student is facing criminal charges after posting comments about his teacher on the Web site, MySpace.com, reported WSB-TV in Atlanta.

The teacher has filed defamation of character charges against the student, Alex Davis, 15.

Eagle’s Landing High School science teacher Robert Muzzillo pursued the charges against Davis after noticing a profile with his name attached on MySpace.com.

The profile talked about Muzzillo liking Michael Jackson and having a "gay old time," like the Fred Flintstone song.


Davis said he only wrote that Muzzillo lost an eye wrestling with alligators and midgets. The teen said it was just a prank and meant as a joke.

When the school found out that Davis was involved, he received three days in-school suspension. Then he learned the teacher had filed charges against him.

"I have finals coming up and I have to study and instead I have to go to court," Davis said.

Davis' father said the charges are a waste of the court's time.

"This has all gotten kinda bizarre," Andy Davis said.

The Davis' have hired attorney Lee Sexton to handle the case.

"It's just silly stuff about a teacher they were just joking about. It's gotten way out of hand," Sexton said.

Davis said he apologized and said he was only having fun and never threatened anyone.

"You can say whatever you want but it can get you in trouble," he said.

Davis is scheduled to head to court next Tuesday. His attorney said the criminal defamation of character charge is unconstitutional.

Re: Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

Do you think the teacher is right? OR do you think we are living in a society that is a little too sue happy?

Re: Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

I think it's ludicrous. Kids complain about their teacher all the time. What's the point of having an online blog if you can't write what you want in it?
I understand defamation and libel and all that, but I really feel like things are getting out of hand. Everyone is suing everyone else. People are waaaaaaay to sensitive and money-hungry these days.
I don't care what the law says, in my opinion, this is just STUPID.

Re: Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

well it depends on what the teacher is asking for .. I do think we live in a sue happy society but I tink the teacher has a right... Imagine if this was done to the student I can guarentee there would be a suit and a 1/2, just cause he is ateacher does not mean he is above a slander suit. JMO

Re: Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes

If the student took down the statements and was suspended, I think that's enough punishment. Although he has a right to sue, I think that's taking it a little far.

Re: Student Faces Criminal Charges For Teacher Jokes