Woman accused of biting man at N.Y. basketball game

[December 15, 2008]  ROSLYN, N.Y. (AP) -- A woman charged with biting a teacher at a raucous Long Island high school basketball game says she was defending herself.

Shaquana Beamon said Sunday that the teacher pulled her to the ground and kicked her Thursday as she approached her brother, a player on the Roslyn High School team.

The 20-year-old Beamon was arrested and arraigned on an assault charge Saturday. Police say she bit the teacher's arm and leg and someone else punched him in the head.

The school district's physical education director says the teacher was working as a supervisor at the rowdy matchup. Police say he was trying to break up the crowd.

The director says he was wearing a supervisor's red jacket, but Beamon disputes that.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com/

[Associated Press]

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