No criminal charges for teacher accused of burning students

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A Salem High School teacher won’t face criminal charges after police said his science experiment left burns on several students.

Physical and marine science teacher Samuel Dufner, 37, was using a Tesla coil to teach students about chemical reactions on April 30. Police say he touched the coil to show students how it left marks on his skin, reports the Salem Statesman Journal (https://stjr.nl/1FoA9WM ).

Several students volunteered to touch the coil themselves, leaving read marks on their own skin.

Salem Police Department Lt. Steve Birr described the marks as electrical burns.

Police arrested Dufner on May 5 and charged him with two counts of criminal mistreatment. He was placed on administrative leave by the Salem-Keizer School District following the arrest.

After a review of the police investigation and interviews with several students involved in the case, Deputy District Attorney Doug Hanson said in a statement that the Marion County District Attorney’s Office will not be filing criminal charges against Dufner.

Hanson said criminal mistreatment requires proof that a person caring for a dependent “intentionally or knowingly causes physical injury to the dependent person.”

Dufner’s attorney, Walter Todd, said the teacher is hoping to get back to work soon.

“We are grateful to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for doing a thorough investigation and dismissing all charges,” he said.

“Sam is an excellent teacher who truly cares about his students. He is truly appreciative of the outpouring of support that he has receives from students, colleagues and the general public,” said Todd.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, https://www.statesmanjournal.com