Wrangell police charged a Wrangell teacher and high school wrestling coach with assault in the fourth degree, which is a misdemeanor, on March 25, for allegedly injuring someone at a bar.
Police said the incident occurred at Rayme’s Bar on March 15. They said Carney approached the alleged victim, who was talking with Carney’s wife, and pushed him, causing him to hit the wall several feet back and fall down on the floor. The victim later received medical care for a sprained wrist.
Police said a surveillance camera filmed the incident. They also interviewed witnesses.
Carney, a U.S. history teacher at Wrangell High School and Middle School, also serves as head wrestling coach. Additionally, he recieved the Division II High School Wrestling Coach of the Year in December.
He pled not guilty during his arraignment on April 7 in the Sitka Courthouse.
Judge Pamela Stahla-Kernin prohibited Carney from returning to the bar and from discussing the matter with the witnesses. She also ordered him to not have any contact with the alleged victim.
His attorney, Dunnington Babb, wrote to KSTK through an email that “Mr. Carney is to be presumed innocent and has requested a jury trial.”
KSTK reached out to Carney and he didn’t want to comment about the case.
A trial is scheduled for the week of July 13.
