Track Runner Sheds Tears While Speaking To Supporters After Getting Charged With Assault For Baton Incident (VIDEO)
Alaila Everett recently sparked debates about whether she intentionally smacked her track competitor in the head with a baton. Everett, a senior, and Kaelen Tucker, a junior, were competing on behalf of their Virginia high schools in a state competition on March 5. A now-viral video seemingly shows Alaila double-tap Tucker with the baton as they cross paths on the track.
In a tearful media interview, Everett claimed the incident was accidental and happened while pumping her arms. But Tuckerâs family and the Lynchburg Commonwealthâs Attorney Office donât seem to be buying her POV. Tuckerâs parents have filed for a protective order while prosecutors hit Alaila Everett with a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. Now, a new video shows the charged teen thanking supporters in Virginia for believing her.
Alaila Everett Breaks Down In Tears While Thanking SupportersEverett and her family held a rally on her behalf one day after the charges were announced. On Thursday (March 13), the teen stood outside of her high school, I.C. Norcom, to double down on her innocence. Fox News reports that âdozensâ of people attended the rally. As she thanked the folks who showed up, Alaila Everett broke down in tears.
âThank yâall for supporting me,â the teen said, per circulating video from the rally. âThereâs no one else that wanted to hear my story except the people that know me and people that know I would never do anything like that; I would never harm anybody. Iâm not a fighter, Iâm not even confrontational, I wouldnât even do that on purpose, and I thank yâall for believing in me. I love yâall.â
Charged Track Runner Previously Said THISÂ Itâs unclear if Everett offered any additional apologies to Kaelen Tucker, who suffered a concussion and âpossible skull fractureâ from the repeated baton hits. Tucker and her family had previously told the media that they were seeking an apology.
However, according to Alaila Everett, Kaelen blocked her on Instagram when she attempted to follow her to start a conversation about what happened. Speaking to 10WAVY, Everett explained that Tucker and her family are not considering her mental health amid the heavy backlash for the incident.
ââŠbut I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose because of jealousy. I know Iâm not the best at track. I applaud her for being a great runner; I would never hit somebody because of jealousy. And at the end of the day, Iâm a child tooâŠIâm sorry,â the high school senior told 10WAVY in her first media interview.
She insisted that she was an honor roll student who stayed out of trouble. During her four years running track, Everett said thereâs never been a similar incident. She also implied that Kaelen Tucker might not have gotten hit if she had âwaited a bit longerâ to cut into her lane.
Meanwhile, Tucker told the press that she was âso in disbeliefâ during the moment. âLike I didnât even know what happened. I just, like, got hit in the head, and I just fell off the track,â she said.
Prosecutorâs Office Speaks On Charge, While NACCP Denounces It Despite both teens having their own versions of what happened, the Lynchburg Commonwealthâs Attorney Office seems to be pushing forward with the charge. According to ABC13 News, Attorney Bethany Harrison recently spoke on the matter, which is pending in juvenile and domestic relations court.
âThere is still a recognition when someone goes beyond what is acceptable for the sport,â Harrison said. âEvery one of these instances, it depends on whatâs going on.â
While the attorneyâs office is making a point about not condoning violence, it also seems to value rehab for both girls involved. âAnd both are juveniles, and they are subject to a lot of attention right now. And just to know that we donât condone violence, we donât want to see any kind of violence in any of these sporting events, but also we want to work toward helping this juvenile and work toward rehabilitation,â Harrison added.
Meanwhile, at the rally, Portsmouth NAACP President James Boyd addressed what the Everett family is allegedly experiencing.
âThe Everett family has experienced racial slurs, theyâve experienced death threats, and we think unequivocally that those things are unacceptable,â Boyd shared.
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