Student admits assaulting Schenectady High School principal

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A Schenectady High School student accused of injuring a school principal trying to break up a fight earlier this year admitted to assault Friday.

Anthony J. Prince, now 18, of Albany Street, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault, a felony.

In exchange for his plea, Prince is to receive a sentence in December of six months in jail and five years of probation.

He is eligible for youthful offender status, which would essentially remove the case from his record, sealing it. However, Judge Guido Loyola is to decide that issue at sentencing. He made no guarantees Friday. Prince was 17 at the time of the incident.

Police arrested Prince in March for assaulting 10th-grade principal Peter G. Parisi the afternoon of March 17, according to court papers.

Parisi, 58, suffered a concussion and bruising to his ribs and a kidney. Prince was accused of punching Parisi “numerous times,” according to papers. District officials have said Parisi was out of work at least a week.

School officials said the principal stepped in to break up a fight. The incident happened after school just outside the building. It was captured on school security cameras.