Police: Teacher found zip-tied in Bothell classroom admitted to making up story, staging crime scene





BOTHELL, Wash. -- A Bothell High School teacher found injured in his classroom earlier this year has now admitted to intentionally injuring himself, zip-tieing his neck and staging the crime scene, police said Tuesday in a news conference.

According to Bothell police, Calvin Pygott, 63, agreed to take a polygraph test after investigators received the final results from evidence processing at the WSP Crime Lab. Police said Pygott showed signs that he was not telling the truth.

Police said they gave Pygott the opportunity to give another statement and he eventually confessed to making up the story.

Pygott could now face charges for obstruction and giving false statements.

A Northshore School District spokesperson says Pygott is now on paid administrative leave.



Back in May, Pygott was found by another teacher after staggering out his wood shop classroom after school with an injury to the back of the head and a zip-tie around his neck.

Detectives processed the scene and took items into evidence including: a hammer, a zip-tie, blood and a piece of butcher paper with the words "this man is not god."

Investigators also noted in the news conference that no suspects were seen in the surveillance video at the school. There were many inconsistencies in Pygott's story from the beginning of the investigation, they said.

On May 24, Pygott told Q13 News in an interview: “This is not going to turn me into a victim, I will be back (to school) as soon as possible."

Watch the full interview with Pygott below:



The unusual attack shattered the community's sense of security. School was canceled for a day while police investigated and extra security was brought as a precaution.