MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) - A former New Jersey teacher has been acquitted of simple assault, overturning a lower court conviction that resulted in forfeiture of her teaching license.

The the Press of Atlantic City reports that a Superior Court judge Friday overturned last year's conviction of 42-year-old Kimberley Peschi by a municipal court judge.

The Galloway Township resident was accused of kicking a chair as a sixth-grade Belhaven Middle School student leaned back in it, causing him to fall and hit his head in February 2017. The judge said Peschi's testimony that she was trying to right the chair was "plausible."

Defense attorney Robert Agre said Peschi was "greatly relieved." He said the state couldn't appeal the acquittal.

The student's mother said she was "disgusted and hurt" by the decision.

Information from: The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

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