Daleville Superintendent Joshua Robertson broke down in court Tuesday as he described the moment that he believed a disgruntled parent had threatened to kill him — and how fear followed him afterwards.
DOTHAN, Ala. - Daleville Superintendent Joshua Robertson broke down in court Tuesday as he described the moment that he believed a disgruntled parent had threatened to kill him — and how fear followed him afterwards.
Robertson testified he called police on April 9 after learning of a confrontation between parents and coaches following a school sporting event. Not long after, he said, he received a text message from parent Frank Sanders — a man tied to the dispute — that Robertson interpreted as a threat to harm him and his wife, also a Daleville school employee.
“As of right now I’ll just shoot every one of you for what you just did thank you have a great day also I will shoot for what you wife did as well last year. ”With his voice trembling, Robertson told Houston County Circuit Judge Henry D. “Butch” Binford that as he waited for officers to arrive after he called police, a medical alarm monitoring his vital signs sounded. Police response took about 15 minutes, he testified.
Sanders acknowledges sending the message using his phone’s voice-to-text feature but disputes that he planned to harm anyone. He says he spoke the word “suit,” referring to a lawsuit, and that the software incorrectly transcribed it as “shoot. ” He testified when he discovered the transcription mistake about a half-hour later he sent another text revealing the software misinterpretation and assured Robertson that he had no intent to harm anyone.
A Daleville police supervisor said he found no evidence that Sanders had done anything illegal. The central dispute in court, however, was not only what the message said — but what happened afterward. Sanders’ attorney, Sara Elizabeth Matthews-Hile, pressed Robertson on why it took about two weeks to seek a temporary restraining order keeping Sanders away from him and school property. Binford granted the order last Thursday.
Under direct examination by attorney Dustin Fowler, Robertson said his fear stemmed not only from the text but also from a broader concern fueled by deadly school shootings in recent years. The temporary order expires 10 days after it was issued. Sanders is asking Binford to void it before then, arguing it prevents him from picking up his children on campus — one who attends special classes — or attending school events with them.
Robertson, on the other hand, is asking the judge to make the order permanent — a request that will be taken up in a separate hearing. He will rule on the temporary order soon. Ken Curtis is an award-winning court and investigative reporter for WTVY digital platforms, with a media career spanning 57 years. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published.
Available for FREE in theEnterprise Police Arrest 6 in Online Child-Solicitation Sting, Operation INTERCEPT
Frank Sanders Daleville Daleville Police Daleville High School Daleville Police Butch Binford
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SAISD to host town hall for community input in superintendent searchThe San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees is inviting community members to help shape the future of the district as it begins the search for its next superintendent.
Read more »
Daleville Parent and Superintendent in Court Dispute Over Text MessageA Daleville, Alabama parent, Frank Sanders, is disputing a restraining order sought by Superintendent Joshua Robertson after a text message containing the word 'shoot' was misinterpreted as a threat. Sanders claims the message was a result of his phone's talk-to-text feature incorrectly converting 'sue' to 'shoot' and that he immediately clarified the error. The case is scheduled for a court hearing where both sides will argue for their position.
Read more »
San Antonio ISD seeks input on superintendent search via Monday town hallThe district also is seeking input through an online survey, which will remain open through Wednesday, April 29.
Read more »
Talks resume in Little Lake City School District teacher strike as new superintendent steps inNegotiations resumed Monday in the Little Lake City School District teachers strike, and both sides returned to the bargaining table as a new superintendent stepped in.
Read more »
Iowa’s largest school district tightens conflict rules after audit flags ex-superintendentIowa's largest school district has revised its conflict-of-interest policy after an audit revealed its former superintendent awarded district business to a consulting firm he worked for. The audit affirms findings first reported by The Associated Press in the weeks after federal immigration officers detained Ian Roberts.
Read more »
Audit confirms conflict of interest of the former Iowa superintendent who was arrested by ICERoberts pleaded guilty in January to falsely claiming citizenship and illegally possessing firearms.
Read more »