Teacher is called instigator of fight

At trial, principal says woman admitted to throwing first punch at student

The argument between teacher and student was apparently sparked by a radio kept in the classroom. Berry occasionally turned on a radio to stimulate the students' creativity, with the dial tuned to hip-hop stations. Prosecutors said the student attempted to turn the radio up, sparking a confrontation that led to the girl striking Berry with a closed fist.

School officials testified that the teenage girl, who is charged with battery in juvenile court, has had no previous disciplinary issues and was well-regarded as a student who went to class and stayed out of trouble.

"She was liked by her peers as well as the staff," Ragin said.

Part of the defense attorneys' presentation included discussion of Berry's skills as a teacher, calling witnesses who noted that she was on a teacher improvement plan and had a hall monitor specially assigned to stand outside her classroom door.

Willie James Holmes, a special education aide, said he had cautioned Berry about her use of strong language with the children and verbal sparring with them. He said she often talked down to the children as being from the ghetto and told them she would rather teach in a "white school."

"I told my mother, 'Something's gonna happen. Someone's gonna get hurt,' " Holmes testified.