Pittsburgh Public Schools Chief of Staff Lamar Blackwell has resigned

Pittsburgh Public Schools Chief of Staff Lamar Blackwell has resigned. A statement from the district says Blackwell submitted his resignation today due to "ongoing media coverage and... public scrutiny" of assault and strangulation charges against him. In his letter of resignation, Blackwell says "stepping aside is in the best interests of the District." In April, he was accused of grabbing his girlfriend by the wrist and choking her and when officers spoke to the woman, they said she had redness on the left side of her neck. Blackwell's preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10th.