New demands in controversial drawing investigation

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – There’s new demands for students to be investigated for a controversial drawing. It shows a noose around the neck of the new North Fort Myers High School baseball coach.

The woman who allegedly drew the picture is now on leave from her job at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Two students are accused of adding the noose around the picture of the coach. The coach’s attorney is now calling that a racial threat.

Wednesday morning Coach Tavaris Gary’s lawyers sent a letter demanding the Lee County School District open an investigation into the two students.

The letter calls the drawing racially motivated. Lawyers say it’s cyber-bullying and harassment. The drawing causing outrage is of Gary with a noose around his neck.

A Facebook video shows former North Fort Myers High School baseball Coach David Bechtol smashing the drawing. His wife Shelly, is on leave from her job at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Attorney Sawyer Smith wants the school district to find out what truly happened and says his client wants a say in the punishment process.

WINK News reached out to the school district but they say they can’t comment about student discipline.