NEWARK, N.J. -- The principal at a New Jersey high school turned himself into authorities on Tuesday after being accused of assaulting a student.The principal, who is on paid leave from Columbia High School in the South Orange-Maplewood School District, made his first court appearance virtually in Essex County. The charges stem from an alleged assault on a former student last March at the high school.
'I am very shocked by it because he is always very nice to me and seemed very kind, so this is really a surprise to me,' 18-year-old Megine Georges said.'They are all supporting him, making t-shirts saying, 'Free Sanchez,'' student Arleth Sanchez said.'I understand there was a fight going on. Mr. Sanchez tried to it up,' Ben Nettungaro added.'There was no fight with this student. Was there another fight that day? Possibly. I don't know,' Davis said.