Former Glenbard South student admits to pushing school official
A former Glenbard South High School sophomore pleaded guilty Tuesday to battering a female assistant principal who tried to break up a fight.
Maurice J. Cullum, 17, of Glen Ellyn faces either probation or up to five years in prison when DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell sentences him Aug. 15.
It's unclear what provoked the May 22 brawl, which prosecutors said began a day earlier outside of school. That next morning, two students squared off at 7:40 a.m. in the school hallway. Assistant Principal Pamela Petersen, who tried to intervene, was twice knocked to the ground.
Prosecutors said the fight was captured on the school's surveillance system.
Cullum told police he was acting in self defense after a bunch of people rushed him. His attorney, Michael Mara, a senior DuPage County public defender, said the teen said he did not realize he pushed a school administrator, The judge said she will review the surveillance footage before the sentencing hearing.
Cullum has a prior juvenile criminal history for arrests in Cook and DuPage, the latter of which allege retail theft and aggravated battery.
No one was seriously injured in the school fight. Cullum has remained in the DuPage County jail on a $20,000 bond since his arrest.