He made it up: Bothell teacher was not attacked
Aug 25, 2016, 12:30 PM | Updated: 12:52 pm
A Bothell High School teacher told police he faked a violent attack because he was under a mountain of debt. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
The Northshore community found out Thursday that the Bothell teacher who was viciously attacked in May, actually made up the story of the attack.
“It’s a little discomforting,” said Bothell High School Principal Stewart upon hearing the news. “There are not perfect people everywhere and strange things happen and you deal with them.”
Attacked Bothell teacher speaks with press after incident
Bothell High School wood shop teacher Cal Pygott was found with a head injury and with a zip tie around his neck after school hours in May. Another teacher found Pygott and called 911. Details were initially unclear as the teacher went in and out of consciousness. Eventually, the story that was told was that he was attacked behind his shop.
On Thursday afternoon, Bothell police said they have concluded their investigation and that Pygott has admitted to making up the story. The Bothell teacher was not attacked. Police said there were inconsistencies in his story. On Wednesday, Pygott met with detectives and took a lie detector test. He failed that polygraph. Bothell police say that Pygott then admitted he injured himself, staged a crime scene and made up the story.
Pygott reportedly told police that there was a reason he made up the crime, but police would not elaborate on that information.
Various items of evidence were analyzed from the crime scene. Evidence included a note found near the crime scene that read: “This man is not God.” Results from that evidence were received by detectives in August. Detectives also reviewed hours of security camera footage. And they interviewed current and past students, and other persons of interest.
Within a month after the attack, Pygott spoke with KIRO 7 and said that he was on the mend, his emotions were up and down, and that he was not going to be turned into a victim.
Officials with the Northshore School District have placed Pygott on administrative leave. Criminal charges against the Bothell teacher may be coming as police wrap up the case.
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