Georgia Tech student files lawsuit over Sen. Perdue 'phone snatching'

The Georgia Tech student whose smartphone was briefly snatched by U.S. Sen. David Perdue filed a lawsuit against him on Monday,  A civil battery complaint seeking damages for alleged unlawful battery was filed in Fulton State Court on behalf of the student, Nate Knauf. The suit seeks a jury trial, damages, attorneys’ fees and costs from Perdue, stemming from a confrontation at a football tailgate on Oct. 13.  “Instead of answering his constituent’s question, civilly interacting with Mr. Knauf, or simply leaving, Senator Perdue forcefully took Mr. Knauf’s phone without his permission in a rude and offensive manner, which constitutes unlawful battery under Georgia law,” the complaint alleges.  Perdue’s office on Monday dismissed the lawsuit as a “completely frivolous” political stunt.  TRENDING STORIES: Former NFL player Rae Carruth released from prison Mega Millions, Powerball jackpots worth more than $2 BILLION! Woman charged with kidnapping almost 30 years after Ga. teen disappeared “This is being orchestrated by a former Obama operative and current Democrat state representative who spends most of his time campaigning for Stacey Abrams,” a Perdue spokeswoman told our investigative partners at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AJC.com. “Georgians will see this for what it is – a manufactured setup to embarrass the Senator and attack his credibility two weeks before the midterm elections.” The suit comes a little more than a week after a video showing a confrontation between Perdue and Knauf, after Knauf asked Perdue about his support for Republican gubernatorial nominee Brian Kemp.  The video shows Perdue cutting off Knauf and saying, “I’m not doing that,” after Knauf asked his question. The video then momentarily cuts out before coming back into focus, with Knauf saying, “You stole my property. Give me my phone back, senator.”  Perdue’s camp previously called the episode a misunderstanding. The spokeswoman said Perdue thought he was being asked to take a picture and went in to take a selfie. Our investigative partners at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AJC.com contributed to this report.

Beloved Fulton PE teacher killed while crossing busy street

Students, colleagues and friends are mourning a Fulton teacher and coach who died Saturday night after a van hit her. Sue Scheer was crossing Alpharetta Street when the driver of the van did not see the teacher, police told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik. Scheer had been with Fulton County Schools for 18 years, the district confirmed to Petchenik. She was most recently an adaptive physical education teacher at Vickery Mill Elementary, Mt. Park Elementary and Roswell High.  Cinthia Cabrales said Scheer was a regular at Pure Taqueria in downtown Roswell. Cabrales described the teacher as a person special to the community.  'She was just someone who came in and was always happy to see you. Always had a hug, always had a kiss for you,' Cabrales said. TRENDING STORIES: 'Danger to the community' is over after police kill teen accused of gunning down officer Police: Middle school student in custody after stabbing teacher Beloved Fulton PE teacher killed while crossing busy street Police told Channel 2 Action News Scheer was leaving Lucky's Burger and Brew when a van traveling northbound struck her. She died at the scene. Tributes for Scheer have poured in with hundreds of comments on what she meant to the community. Scheer organized a benefit for ALS every year, which will go on in her memory next Tuesday. 'She's in a better place and reunited with her mother. She'll always be in our hearts,' Lucky's manager told Petchenik.  Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Fulton County Schools District, who sent us this statement: 'Ms. Scheer, who most referred to as Sue, impacted many during her time with us and will be greatly missed by our community, teachers, staff and students. Our principals are currently working closely with our Counseling Psychological Social Work Services Department to offer support to our students and faculty during this difficult time.

Man indicted on murder charge after 5-month-old son’s death

A Coweta County man was indicted on charges of felony murder and child cruelty more than a year after he was arrested in connection with the death of his 5-month-old son. A grand jury handed down the indictment against Christopher Halver-Gene Hansen earlier this month, Coweta County District Attorney Herb Cranford said. RELATED: Infant dies after incident at home; father charged Hansen, 31, of Newnan, was arrested after officials said he caused the death of Sebastian Livingston last year. The child suffered non-accidental trauma after a June 17, 2017, incident at home, doctors told investigators. At a Newnan hospital, Hansen first told a deputy that Sebastian was choking, according to the report. The child was then flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where he was placed on life support, officials confirmed. Sebastian died Aug. 1, 2017. In other news: