Hopley used corporal punishment with the stated intention of overcoming what he perceived as stubbornness on Cancellor 's part , but instead beat the boy to death .
15 - year - old Reginald Cancellor died at the hands of his teacher , Thomas Hopley .
Thomas Hopley used corporal punishment with the stated intention of overcoming what teacher perceived as stubbornness on Reginald Cancellor 's part , but instead beat the boy to death .
15 - year - old Reginald Cancellor died at the hands of his teacher , Thomas Hopley .