Teacher sues kids over Evil Teddy Bear movie

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AP) -- A math teacher whose name is used in a student film featuring an evil teddy bear that orders other stuffed animals to kill a teacher is suing the four children who made it, alleging it defamed him.

Daniel Clevenger's lawsuit, filed May 16 in Henry Superior Court, is the second round of legal action related to the 78-minute film "The Teddy Bear Master." Two months ago, school officials settled a federal lawsuit filed by three of the students to fight their expulsion from Knightstown Intermediate School.

The lawsuit claims the film mocked the teacher's appearance and mannerisms by portraying a math instructor named "Mr. Clevenger." It also contains "graphic depictions of violence" and the eventual murder of Clevenger and his wife, Christine, the lawsuit said.

This from CNN.

Settlement reached after students expelled for making 'evil teddy bear' movie

WAVE TV3.com reports:

Three Knightstown (Indiana) students and their families will receive $69,000 each to settle a civil rights lawsuit over the students' expulsions for making a movie in which evil teddy bears attack a teacher.

The settlement was approved by the school board and made public Tuesday.

The lawsuit resulted from a dispute over a movie titled "The Teddy Bear Master" made by four students. School officials saw the movie as a threat to a Knightstown Intermediate School teacher and expelled the four.

Three of the students sued, saying the expulsion violated their First Amendment rights.
As part of the settlement, two of the students were required to write a letter of apology to the teacher and his wife.

The school's insurance company will cover the cost of the settlement.