Mechanicville boy pleads not guilty to assault charge after allegedly head-butting principal

PHOTOGRAPHER: Lee Coleman

A 17-year-old Mechanicville boy charged with felony assault for allegedly head-butting a principal at the F. Donald Myers BOCES Education Center this week pleaded not guilty to the charge in City Court.

Michael R. Mundell of Maiden Lane in Mechanicville was arrested by city police Monday morning for allegedly head-butting the principal twice at the school on Henning Road and biting the hand of guidance counselor John Bates. The principal, whose name was not released, required treatment for pain and swelling at Wilton Medical Arts, police said.

Police also charged Mundell with criminal mischief for throwing items and destroying pictures and frames in a school office. Police said Mundell was being interviewed by school officials about possessing a weapon, thought to be a knife, while on school grounds, when he became very angry.

Mundell was released on a pre-trial release service of the county Probation Department to return to City Court Oct. 20.