Wilson teacher charged in assault at Charlottesville press conference

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Wilson Memorial High School French teacher Phoebe Stevens, known to students as Mademoiselle Lafroy, had her trial date set Tuesday for allegedly assaulting Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally organizer Jason Kessler at his press conference the day after the August event.

Stevens, 35, was arrested and charged with class one misdemeanor assault by Charlottesville Police, turning herself in "without incident" Sept. 12, and receiving a summons to court. The maximum punishment allowed by Virginia law if she's convicted is "confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both."

At her hearing in Charlottesville General District Court Tuesday, Stevens's trial was set for 10:35 a.m. Nov. 17, when she will be tried along with "a number" of other co-defendants in the case, the judge said.

Stevens declined to comment Tuesday in court on her motivation at the August press conference.

Stevens allegedly assaulted Kessler at the press conference he held Aug. 13, the Sunday afternoon after the previous day's "Unite the Right" rally erupted into violence.

Jeffrey Matthew Winder, 49, and Edgar Brandon Collins, 44, both of Charlottesville, were both also arrested and charged with assault and battery last week, in addition to Stevens.

Augusta County Public Schools director of personnel Jill Martin confirmed Stevens' employment, but would not describe the status of Stevens's employment with Wilson High when asked Tuesday, or when she was hired. 

Augusta County Public Schools superintendent Eric Bond declined to comment when asked last week, as did school board members Donna Wells, Nick Collins and David Shiflett.

Kessler spoke for about two minutes in front of Charlottesville City Hall on Aug. 13 before he was run out of the Charlottesville Downtown Mall by protestors. Much of what he said was inaudible due to a large group of shouting protesters who surrounded media members.

After the press conference, Kessler tried to escape the crowd with a police escort. Protesters started to swarm Kessler and police. As he was attempting to flee, Kessler was tackled and fights broke out. People were throwing punches, swinging hard in the air and police were trying to combat that and escort Kessler. The crowd of protesters were trying to zero in on Kessler and push him out of the downtown area. 

But once Kessler was out of sight, the vibe of the crowd changed. It became calmer and peaceful. 

"We are unstoppable, another world is possible," the crowd chanted.

—News Leader reporter Laura Peters contributed to this report.