Student accused of hitting teacher didn't mean to hurt anyone, attorney says

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PITTSBURGH — The attorney for a Pittsburgh Public Schools student who is accused of hitting a teacher said Thursday that his client never intended to hurt anyone.

A court hearing for Emory Broadenlash, 18, was continued. Broadenlash is a student at the district’s Student Achievement Center in Homewood.

Investigators said that in December, a teacher saw Broadenlash acting suspiciously in an alley next to the school, so he called school police.

According to the accusations, the teacher was hurt during a scuffle, and the principal also got involved.

"His intentions were never to hurt anyone," defense attorney Blaine Jones said. "He doesn't have a history of violence."

Once officers handcuffed Broadenlash, police said they found 20 bags of marijuana and about $200 on him.

Jones said his client wants to put the case behind him.

“This is a young man that wants to go onto college, and he wants to do good things with his life.”

He said Broadenlash remains suspended from school.

“We're looking for a positive outcome,” Jones said.

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