Teacher suspended after bar fight arrest

Stonington — A Mystic man who has been working as substitute chorus teacher at Mystic Middle School this fall was arrested last weekend after police said he was involved in a fight with another man at Skipper’s Dock restaurant in the borough.

Ben A. Freiert, 23, of 33 Rossie St., was charged Saturday with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. He was released on promise to appear in New London Superior Court on Dec. 8.

Interim Superintendent of Schools Paul Smotas said this morning he could not say much about the incident because it is a personnel matter but did confirm that Freiert has not worked at the school since the arrest. Smotas said that as a substitute, Freiert is an "at-will employee" who is used if needed.

According to police, Freiert was involved in a fight with Jeffrey B. Rose, 26, of 636 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, who was also charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace.

Police said Freiert went to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries after the fight. Police interviewed him at the hospital and he turned himself in after he was released.