By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

April 9, 2014 – The 18 year old student who made national headlines by engaging in a physical altercation with a teacher on Friday pled not guilty to all charges Tuesday.

Blair Roderick Moore was charged during his arraignment with “two counts of 71 (a) PC, threatening a public school official and 1 count of 11357 (d) H&S, possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana on school grounds,” according to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD). 

He was also charged with “1 count of 626.10(a) (2) PC, possession of a box cutter on school grounds, and 1 count of 242/243.6 PC, force or violence against a school employee in retaliation for an act performed in the course of his or her duties.”  All charges filed were misdemeanors.

“Mr. Moore was released on his own recognizance (OR) with an order not to harass, strike, threaten, or assault the victims named in the case,” said Sgt. Jay Moroso, the SMPD Spokesman.

Moore’s Pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 22 and his first trail date is May 6.
According to witnesses, Moore was confronted by the Santa Monica science teacher and wrestling coach Mark Black when he allegedly witnessed the student selling marijuana in his classroom. When Black approached him, Moore allegedly threw a punch, sparking a physical altercation.

A cellphone video from inside the classroom that went viral over the weekend shows the coach allegedly defending himself by using standard wrestling moves, such as grabbing a thigh, to take him down.

The SMPD have withheld the identity of the second student involved in the incident.  The only information available describes the suspect as a 16 year old African American male.  The unidentified 16-year old was arrested on suspicion of battery against a school employee.  His court date will be scheduled 60 days after his arrest.

After the incident, supporters of Black did not hesitate to take to the Internet to defend the veteran school teacher.  A Facebook page titled, “We Support Coach Black of Samohi” sprouted up over the weekend after news of the incident broke and has since received 18,475 “likes.”  In addition, an online petition calling for Black’s reinstatement has also been circulating and has 6,900 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon.