Press Release

For Immediate Release, June 14, 2004

Contact: William J. Smith, Jr. (718) 556-7150

District Attorney Donovan Announces Guilty Plea in Assault on Curtis High School Teacher

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that LaShawn Harvey, 17, of Kramer Street, has plead guilty to the top count of an indictment, Assault in the Second Degree (PL 120.05-10), a Class D felony.

Ms. Harvey plead guilty to assaulting a physical education teacher near the girls’ locker room in Curtis High School on October 16, 2003. She assaulted the teacher when she was denied entrance to gather belongings from a locker. The physical education teacher missed 11 days of work, was in a soft neck brace for 2 weeks and suffers from muscle spasms of the neck and back.

“After taking office, I announced my policy that I would not plea bargain assault cases against teachers, police officers, court officers, emergency service technicians, and other city and state employees,” stated District Attorney Donovan. “Keeping true to that policy, my office would accept nothing less than a top count plea in this case involving an assault on a school teacher during the performance of her educational duties.”

LaShawn Harvey, will be sentenced on July 16, 2004 before Judge Rienzi. She will receive a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and 5 years probation. Assistant District Attorney Karen Schoenberg prosecuted the case. Harvey was represented by Gregory C. Clarke.