MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Hempstead parent was convicted by a jury today of assaulting a math teacher at her daughter’s middle school in April 2015.
Annika McKenzie, 35, of Hempstead, was convicted of Assault in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony), Disorderly Conduct (a violation) and Harassment in the 2nd Degree (a violation). The defendant was remanded and is due back for sentencing on February 10 before Court of Claims Judge Alan Honorof and faces up to seven years in prison on the top count. The trial started on January 5 and the jury deliberated for approximately five hours.
“Annika McKenzie barged into her daughter’s middle school, assaulted a teacher and left her victim unconscious on the floor in front of a crowd of her students,” DA Singas said. “Our schools must be safe for every student, educator, and parent, and today’s verdict should serve as a warning that violence like this will be met with harsh consequences.”
DA Singas said that on Wednesday April 15, 2015, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the victim, a teacher at Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School, saw McKenzie’s daughter and other students in the hallway while classes were in session. The students were unaccompanied and not allowed in the hallway at that time.
The defendant’s daughter alleged that a confrontation occurred between her and the then 58-year old victim, and as a result, the daughter summoned her mother to the school. McKenzie arrived at the school at approximately 1:45 p.m. and entered the school, bypassing the security desk and administrative offices.
The defendant then physically assaulted the teacher, causing the victim to lose consciousness. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and diagnosed with a concussion
McKenzie was arrested later that day by members of the Hempstead and Nassau County police departments.
Assistant District Attorneys Rachael Whalen of DA Singas’ County Court Trial Bureau is prosecuting the case. McKenzie is represented by Donald Rollock, Esq.