A Kansas state representative charged with battery allegedly kicked a male high school student in the crotch and left him with other injuries while substitute teaching last month.
State Rep. Mark Samsel (R) was arrested late last month on three charges of alleged misdemeanor battery after the altercation at Wellsville High School. He has since pleaded not guilty.
GOP leaders in the state legislature, which is scheduled to have its last day in session on Wednesday, have expressed concern over the charges against Samsel.
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“We are not yet aware of the details, but are in process of gathering as much information as we can,” House Republican leadership said in a joint statement.
Kansas state lawmaker Mark Samsel was arrested and charged after he allegedly kneed a student in the groin while substitute teaching last Wednesday.
Mark Samsel was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery, but he was later released after posting a $1,000 bond. He was earlier booked into the Franklin County Adult Detention Center.
Students caught the action on video in a classroom at Wellsville s high school, People reported. Mark Samsel maintained that there was no altercation and that he had planned the whole thing.
Wellsville School District Superintendent Ryan Bradbury said the lawmaker would not be allowed to work for the district anymore.
Towleroad Gay News
A Kansas state Representative is facing charges of misdemeanor battery stemming from a homophobic tirade that turned physical against a student while he was substitute teaching last week.
In multiple videos obtained by the Kansas City Star, state Rep. Mark Samsel is seen making homophobic comments amid rants about suicide, masturbation, God and “making babies” while substituting teaching at the Wellsville school district’s secondary school on April 28.
The homophobic comments came as part of an anecdote Samsel shared about “a sophomore who’s tried killing himself three times” because “he has two parents and they’re both female.” He added, “He’s a foster kid. His alternatives in life were having no parents or foster care parents who are gay … how do you think I’m going to feel if he commits suicide? Awful.”
Christian Kansas state lawmaker Mark Samsel (R) | YouTube/KSNT News
A Christian Kansas state lawmaker arrested Thursday after he used expletives, scuffled with a high school student and encouraged his class to kick the student âin the ballsâ while working as a substitute teacher defended his actions as a planned event to get the students attention.
âAltercation is a strong word. There was no altercation. Iâm sure there are one or two students that probably perceived it as one, but it was exactly as we planned it,â Mark Samsel, a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, told KSNT News Friday about his work in the Wellsville School District.
Christian Kansas state lawmaker Mark Samsel (R) | YouTube/KSNT News
A Christian Kansas state lawmaker arrested Thursday after he used expletives, scuffled with a high school student and encouraged his class to kick the student âin the ballsâ while working as a substitute teacher defended his actions as a planned event to get the students attention.
âAltercation is a strong word. There was no altercation. Iâm sure there are one or two students that probably perceived it as one, but it was exactly as we planned it,â Mark Samsel, a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, told KSNT News Friday about his work in the Wellsville School District.