NC Teacher Charged With Strangling Student Unconscious

Devon Murphy, a 41-year-old criminal justice teacher and boys' varsity basketball coach at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor child abuse after allegedly choking a 15-year-old student until the student lost consciousness and suffered a swollen forehead in March 2025. Murphy has worked for Cumberland County Schools since 2013 and was suspended with pay immediately after the allegations surfaced. The school district reported the incident to law enforcement and has emphasized its commitment to student safety and full cooperation with the police investigation. Murphy had his first court appearance and is currently out of jail on a $25,000 secured bond. His next court date is scheduled for August 20. The reason for the delay between the March incident and Murphy's July arrest remains unclear.