Police interview tapes reveal why Bothell teacher lied about attack

BOTHELL, Wash. - Police interview tapes released this week, are shedding light on why a Bothell teacher lied about being attacked.

During a three-hour interview with detectives, shop teacher Cal Pygott explained why he staged the attack on himself at the school back in May.

Pygott insisted he was hit from behind and left to die with a zip tie around his neck. But, after a polygraph, he admitted he lied to save face and the attack was really a failed suicide attempted.

In the interview Pygott said, "I put a zip tie around my neck, hit myself on the head with a hammer three or four times, was on the floor, got up realized I wanted to live."

But on the taped interview, detectives questioned his story and the motive, and asked why his medical report showed only minor bruising and no concussion, among other things.

Pygott blamed finances and said he would be worth more to his family dead, rather than alive.

"I had a mountain of debt and was scrambling, rob Peter to pay Paul and it was snowballing," Pygott said in the interview.

Police said the prosecutor will decide if Pygott will face any charges for filing a false police report.