“From Podium to Courtroom: Track Star Breaks Down at Rally Amid Shocking Assault Charges”
“I would never harm anybody. I’m not a fighter,” Everett claimed in the video footage first obtained by CBS affiliate WTKR News. “I’m not even confrontational. I wouldn’t even do that on purpose. And I thank y’all for believing in me. And I love y’all.”
Alaila Everett was charged with assault after striking her opponent in the head with a baton
Image credits: WSET ABC 13
Her speech was peppered with various cheers and shouts of support for the teenage athlete.
Things first started on Friday, March 7, when Everett — from I.C. Norcom High School — and Kaelen Tucker from Lynchburg’s Brookville High School participated together in a 4x200m relay event at Liberty University, Virginia.
There, clips captured Tucker running in the second leg of the relay event before passing Everett. In a shocking turn of events, the latter pulled her right arm back and struck her opponent in the head with a baton.
Tucker fell to the ground, clutching her head. She had to be treated for a concussion and possible skull fracture while Everett continued on.
Image credits: Raindropsmedia1
Immediately following the incident, Everett claimed the clip painted her as someone she wasn’t and defended herself, giving a brief timeline of what had actually happened.
“Nobody is going to believe me because I can admit from the video it does look purposeful,” the athlete said. “But I know my intentions and I would never hit anybody on purpose.
“After a couple of times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this,” she said, gesturing upwards, “and it rolled up her back. I lost balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.”
Post Comment