GRETNA, La. (AP) – Misdemeanor charges were dismissed Tuesday against a
Jefferson Parish teacher accused of pulling the scarf off the head of a
Muslim student.
Parish Court Judge Roy Cascio dismissed the simple battery charge after
teacher Wes Mix’s accuser failed to appear in court for a second time. The
charge carried a sentence of up to six months in prison and up to a $500
fine.
As he left the courthouse, Mix told reporters: “I feel better.”
Mix, a West Jefferson High School history teacher, still faces a school
board hearing later this week. He is accused of using religious slurs
against the student and removing the religiously mandated scarf from her
head during a class in January.
The student, Maryam Motar, has said the teacher told her: “I hope God
punishes you. No, I’m sorry. I hope Allah punishes you.”
The student’s mother told WWL-TV that the family had not known that Motar
had been scheduled for court Tuesday. Motar is no longer enrolled at West
Jefferson