A Virginia teenage track runner who hit an enemy with a baton during a race last week was charged with assault and battery.
Alaila Everett, a track rival at IC Norcom High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, made the headline earlier this week when a video of a baton shattered into the heads of fellow runners went viral. His opponent runner, Brookville High School junior Karen Tucker, experienced a possible concussion and a fracture of his skull.
Everett faces counts of assault and battery misdemeanors.
The video sparked a torrent of social media reactions, urging Everett to take it into the airwaves and declare her innocence.
On Tuesday, Everett appeared on ABC Good morning Americasays that attacking other people who were not provoked was not “her personality.” Everett doesn't just defend himself. Portsmouth NAACP also featured her cause.
“Araira is not an attacker and it's shameful to imply that. We understand the sensitivity of situations involving both athletes and their families, but this story should not be understated,” the group's statement read.
“Araira is an honorary student and star athlete at the historic IC Norcom High School. From all accounts, she is an extraordinary young leader and academic, whose athletic talent is well documented and recognized throughout our state. She carries herself with integrity both on and off the field, and the story of her adjudication of her crimes for criminal conduct is a violation of her rights to the rights of the process.”
Everett claims that the baton strike occurred because he was stuck behind Tucker and lost his balance.
“After hitting her several times, my baton stuck behind her like this, and it rolled her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms up again. Everett said in an interview Wavy. “I knew my intentions so I didn't intentionally hit anyone.”
Everett understands concerns about the injuries she inflicted on Tucker, but she also says that she hasn't paid enough attention to her suffering.
“You're physically hurt because everyone has feelings, but you're not thinking about my mind,” Everett said. “They assume my personality and call me a ghetto, racial slander, a death threat. All of this is away from the nine-second video.”
