PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Two young men, students, have been held for trial on charges they attacked a teacher at the Excel Academy, an alternative school, in Northeast Philadelphia last month. The teacher was treated at a hospital and released.

The defendants remain in custody, unable to post bail of just several hundreds dollars. Prosecutor Erica Rebstock says the attack by 20-year-old Terrell Carter and 19-year-old Bryan Pressley was unprovoked. The teacher was returning to class from lunch.

“Terrell Carter comes from behind, reaches into his lunch bag. The teacher removes his hand and then Terrell Carter punches him very forcefully in the back of the knee. The teacher has bad legs. They are on an elevated platform about six feet in the air. After that the co-defendant, Mr. Pressley jumps on the complainant’s back and begins beating him on the head.”

The defense argued unsuccessfully for even lower bail. But the prosecutor noted both men have juvenile records. Carter’s includes crimes of robbery and victim-witness retaliation.

Carter’s attorney says his client will plead not guilty. Pressley’s attorney declined comment.

Reported By Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio.