Teacher’s Attacker Must Undergo Tests
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A North Hollywood woman who assaulted her daughter’s elementary school teacher was ordered by a judge Tuesday to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Benita McCrae, 30, pleaded no contest two weeks ago to a felony charge of battery against a school employee. San Fernando Superior Court Judge John H. Major postponed McCrae’s scheduled sentencing Tuesday to Dec. 4 so she can be evaluated by two court-appointed psychiatrists.
McCrae faces up to one year in jail and three years probation.
Major did not specify why he wanted the psychiatric study but said, “There are some problems that should be addressed by experts.”
McCrae assaulted teacher Marjan Swantek, 64, on Oct. 3 after her daughter complained that the teacher had yelled at her. According to Swantek, McCrae began to choke her and slammed her against a wall inside the Toluca Lake Elementary School classroom. The teacher said she suffered bruises and scratches on her neck and a bruised elbow.
Through her attorney, McCrae denied choking the teacher and scratching her neck, but admitted assaulting the teacher.
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