No charge against Benton City principal with knife

Published 2:03 pm Thursday, October 20, 2011

PROSSER — Benton County prosecutors will not charge the principal accused of taking out a pocket knife and threatening to cut off a rosary worn by a student.

Deputy Prosecutor Amy Harris wrote Wednesday that Kiona-Benton City High School Principal Wayne Barrett acted inappropriately but not criminally. She found the student did not feel threatened.

Barrett told the 18-year-old student in late August to remove the rosary, which is not allowed in school because it is used as gang identification. He showed the student a pocket knife, reportedly saying, “One of these blades could cut that off.”

Tri-City Herald reported that the district suspended Barrett for the three days without pay and ordered him to undergo sensitivity training.