Both boos and cheers could be heard after Magistrate Gail Roush decided a grand jury should hear the case against Cameron Moffett. He's charged with felony child abuse.
The incident in question was caught on tape. Prosecutors point out the video speaks for itself, showing Moffett removing Zachary Plants, a student, from his seat and rolling him down the aisle of the bus. Teachers testified Plants had lost a button off his MP-3 player and got upset and they and Moffett told him to come to the front of the bus.
"I saw him walk off the bus," testified Annette Cook, a teacher at Point Pleasant Intermediate. "What happened after this child walked off the bus?" asked Jim Lees, attorney for Cameron Moffett. "He started walking and changed his mind and dropped himself to the ground and continued to kick and scream," said Cook.
"I think he should have handled the situation exactly like he handled it," said Lees, but he points out the background of Plants may shed some light on the incident.
"If you are not going to let me show the background of this child, then let me say this," said Lees to Magistrate Roush. "Your honor, he's testifying improperly," countered Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Sherry Eling. "You know what, if you don't want me to talk on behalf of my client we'll just shut up," said Lees.
Outside, a crowd held signs, happy the case is moving forward as family members cope with listening to the video.
"It's very hurtful and disturbing to hear your own little grandchild screaming for help, and to me it seemed like no one wanted to help," said Linda Plants, Zachary's grandmother.
Besides the criminal charges, the family of Zachary Plants has filed a federal lawsuit against Moffett and the Mason County Board of Education.
Moffett is free on a $20,000 bond. He is still employed by Mason County Schools, but relieved of his duties as principal and transferred to the maintenance garage until his legal issues are resolved.
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