Charge in student's pool death dismissed by judge

EASTPOINTE (AP) - An involuntary manslaughter charge has been dismissed against a teacher who was blamed for the death of a teenager at a high school pool in suburban Detroit.

Macomb County Judge James Maceroni tied his ruling Monday to the legal standard set by the Michigan Supreme Court in a civil lawsuit in a different drowning.

Johnathan Sails was accused of failing to keep an eye on 14-year-old KeAir Swift, who was having trouble in the water at East Detroit High School in 2013.

Maceroni says Sails' conduct doesn't rise to criminal culpability, even if he hesitated before going into the water to try to help the boy. Assistant prosecutor Bill Cataldo says an appeal is likely.

Sails says he's "heartbroken" over KeAir's death and prays for him and his family.

Published: Wed, Oct 07, 2015