No charges to be filed against U-High substitute teacher, prosecutor says

University High School
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office is not pressing charges. (Photo courtesy: Google images)

By WMBD TV

NORMAL – Charges will not be filed against a former University High School substitute teacher accused of allegedly “putting hands on a student.”

McLean County State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds said Michael Troll, 64, would not face battery counts or another charges for the alleged actions, which were against a person under the age of 18.

The incident happened at University High School, and no serious injuries were reported.

Reynolds said attorneys in her office reviewed the case file and did not feel they could meet the legal threshold of beyond reasonable doubt, which is what prosecutors are required to meet to secure a conviction.

In mid-September, school officials announced the arrest and Troll was given a notice to appear later in court. He was never formally booked into the McLean County Jail.

At the time, Illinois State University spokesman Eric Jome said Troll remained on the substitute list but is not being considered for work at ISU or U-High at this time

Troll was previously a U-High teacher and a football coach at the school for several years.

WMBD News can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…