A Kansas legislator who was working as a substitute teacher allegedly kicked a student in the testicles for disrupting class, according to a sheriff’s affidavit.
The facts: Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel of Wellsville, 36, was arrested in April on charges of misdemeanor battery after the altercation.
- Videos taken by students showed Samsel declaiming on suicide, same-sex marriage and the Bible and picking students up from behind and pushing them against a classroom wall, at one point yelling, “I’m going to unleash the wrath of God on you.”
- The sheriff’s affidavit, released Monday, states that Samsel claimed God was responsible for him “demonstrating a kick” on the student.
- “He stated he knew it was wrong and he shouldn’t do it, he stated he did not want to do it,” said the affidavit. “He stated, ‘The whole world is telling me not to do it, God said, Yes.’ Mark [Samsel] believes this was God’s plan.”
Samsel did not respond to requests for comment.
Consequences: Samsel’s next hearing will be held July 12 after he undergoes a mental health evaluation.
- The state GOP has declined to take action against Samsel, with leadership saying “the courts must be allowed to work.”
- In the meantime, Samsel has been banned from Wellsville public school properties.
