Shep Smith Doesn’t Buy That Teacher Caught Beating Student Acted Out Of ‘Fear’

Houston schoolteacher Sheri Lynn Davis, caught on tape beating one of her students, is making the media rounds today to test out the legal defense axiom, “the more time you spend on TV, the better the chance that people will forget the horrible thing you did.” While she got to wet her feet this morning on Good Morning America, it wasn’t until her interview with Shepard Smith later in the day that she was challenged to answer for her behavior beyond simply having lost control.

Davis, whose video of her beating a child identified as Isaiah became a YouTube “hit” within hours, had explained that her physical reaction to the child was in response to him and others locking another special needs child in a room and preparing to attack her. The school in which the event occurred was a charter school dedicated to helping students with criminal records and severe disciplinary problems. While Smith was initially sympathetic to her and attorney Lisa Andrews, noting that it seems she acted out of fear and accepting her statement that “I don’t [sic] intend to hurt him, that’s for sure, but I definitely want to bring a point across.”

When Davis and Andrews tried to argue that Isaiah was not in danger and that Davis’ actions were a direct result of “fear for another child,” however, Smith’s sympathy melted away, scoffing “please” at them and asking if they did not think the child being beaten was in danger, though acceding that the entire event must be frustrating for her. It’s frustrating that the kids are not protected,” she replied.

She continues to explain that, while she has no hope of doing so again, teaching is her “passion” and she would like to continue doing it. “I don’t quite know why you’re making the rounds on television,” Smith concludes naively, but thanks her for being around, anyway.

Video below:

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