KINGWOOD — A Preston County student who hit an assistant principal pleaded guilty to battery this week.
Under a plea agreement entered Wednesday in Preston Magistrate Court, James Delmus Metz, 18, of Tunnelton, was given credit for three days served and will pay $160.25 costs. No fine was levied.
Metz was initially charged with felony malicious assault after he hit Preston High School Assistant Principal David Murray in the jaw. Prosecutors dropped that to the misdemeanor battery charge to which he plead.
According to the original criminal complaint by Preston Sheriff’s Sgt. S.R. Mitter, Metz was being escorted to the PHS office by staff after he and his girlfriend were found in the hallway and told to go to class.
According to Mitter’s complaint, Metz told her, “Murray was running his mouth, so he punched Murray.” Metz was restrained by school staff until the deputy arrived to the Jan. 11 incident.
Metz is receiving educational services but is not at Preston High, school officials said Thursday.
