Woman sentenced for assault at school

Thursday, January 17, 2013

A Cole County woman was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison for pleading guilty to assaulting a teacher in March 2012 at Pioneer Trail Elementary School in Apache Flats.

Joann Rutherford, 35, of 5409 W. Business 50, was charged with one count of felony assault on school property.

Cole County sheriff's deputies said Rutherford attempted to contact her son about 1 p.m. at the school. Rutherford's custody of her son had been temporarily suspended through Cole County courts.

Rutherford entered the school through the front door and was able to get by school staff to attempt to get her son. While staff was moving children into their classrooms, Rutherford punched a teacher in the left shoulder, leaving a red mark.

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JCLifer 5 months ago

Four years for leaving a red mark on a teacher's shoulder? Dang! DUI persistent offenders don't get that much time, even if they run over another person!

wow 5 months ago

Thi is a bit much don'tcha think...especially since the Principle from TJMS didn't even get to see the inside of court room for chasing her boyfriend down the street with a knife. I agree Ms. Rutherford was wrong...but when Politicians are having open fist fights in the state Capital...in the front of visiting school students...yet these combatants don't get so mucha as a slap on the wrist....yet this lady get 4yrs in prison for pushing her way to visit with her child. Okay...yes she was wrong for getting physical...but not four years in prison wrong. Unless this is the new standrd for punishing uncalled for violence and applies to everyone...I say give the lady some cousnselling, probation and some community service...certainly no more than some days in the County Jail...but not prison.. save that for the really deserving folks.

RobHunterJohnson 5 months ago

Judge Calea Stovall Reid sentence to Demon Hood was 4 years, for shooting at the police? Post Dispatch 1/9/13 Rob

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