(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Weymouth, Mass.) - Two very different stories.
A teacher's word vs. his student's word, with several other kids in class watching.
"What I've learned so far leads me to believe that he is, in fact, innocent. And (he) acted within the bounds of propriety," said defense attorney Thomas Finnerty.
11:30 am Thursday.
A fist fight erupted between a student and a teacher in an algebra class at Weymouth High School.
Two sides of this story quickly emerged.
The teacher, 49 year old Elbert Foster, now wearing a sling, says the 14 year old student threw a sucker punch.
"I was struck three times in the side of the face, I have two contusions of the mouth. In other words, my tooth went through my lip on this side here. I have a cut on the other side of the mouth. My shoulder was separated somewhat in the altercation and that's pretty much it," Foster said.
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Asked if he thinks he's the victim, Foster said, "Yes indeed."
After meeting with police Friday morning, the student was counseled not to speak with reporters, according to his older brother, who told me his younger brother's version of the events.
- The teacher told him to leave class
- He "shouldered" the teacher on the way out
- The teacher then threw two punches which missed, one that connected
- And then the fight ensued
Weymouth Police intend to bring assault charges against Elbert Foster, but have not yet done so.
The school has placed him on administrative leave.
"I believe it's ok to defend yourself when you need to be defending yourself," Finnerty added.
Elbert Foster says he taught at Weymouth High School for only about two and a half weeks, having taught about 20 years in Boston, Brookline, and Sudbury.
The student's brother says his younger brother had xrays and was having headaches earlier today.
It is unclear when charges will be filed.
