The Bridgeport school worker accused of threatening to kill white people at Harding High School denied the charges Wednesday and argued he is the victim of harassment.
Carl Lemon, 63, says the allegations that he told another teacher that he hated white people and would go on a killing spree with the OK from the Black Panthers are untrue. Police also accuse him of stepping on an American flag in front of students.
"This is just an outright attack upon my character and who I am as a person," he says.
He also says he doesn't own any weapons and has never fired a gun. The accusations against him, he argues, are forms of bullying and harassment.
He returned to the Golden Hill Courthouse Wednesday for his arraignment in connection with the March 28 incident. He had been released on a promise to appear. The judge ordered Lemon to avoid contact with anyone at the school and to stay away from the property.
He's currently on paid administrative leave from his job as an in-school suspension coordinator. He has worked at Harding for five years.
Lemon is due back in court on May 3. The district says it does not discuss personnel matters.