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James Alex Fields' beliefs were 'along the party lines of the neo-Nazi movement, ex-tcacher says. Page I of 2 Charlottesville suspect's beliefs were 'along the party lines of the neo-Nazi movement,' ex-teacher says James Pitcher,jpilcher@enquirer.comPublishcd 2:28 p.m. ET Aug. 13, 2017 | Updated 9:13 p.m. ET Aug. 13, 2017 Former Randall K. Cooper High School history teacher Derek Weimer. 45, of Florence told The Enquirer in an interview that he was probably the closest to James Alex Fields Jr. out of everyone on the faculty. "I'm sure if you would ask James he would say I was his favorite or one of his favorite teachers," said Weimer, adding that he had Fields in three classes directly and had regular interaction with him after classes and during. free time. (Photo: The Enquirer/Meg Vogei) More: Ex-neighbor of James Alex Fields Jr.: 'Hope they put him where the sun doesn't. shine' (/story/news/local/northern-ky/2017/08/13/former-classmate-neighbors-fields-seemed-shy-kept- himself/562917001/) "I feel like i failed and that we all failed," Weimer said of Fields. now a suspect in the Charlottesville, Virginia, attack on counter-protesters that left a Weimer said that he knew of Fields' political leanings eariy on. He said another teacher filed a report during Fields' freshman year over something Fields. had written for an assignment "that just went beyond the pale." "It was very much along the party lines of the neo-Nazi movement," Weimer said. Weimer didn't know for sure if Fields' mother was notified but said "that would have been standard procedure" views were so far right that he would attend a white supremacist rally. More: Maumee neighbors shaken by Charlottesville suspect James Alex Fields living nearby (/story/news/2017/08/13/maumee-neighbors-shaken-charlottesville-suspect-james-alex-fields-living nearby/563055001/ Derek Weimer poses for a portrait in his home Sunday, Aug. 13, "From what I remember, he was a quiet and reserved student." Cooper High School Principal Michael Wilson 2017. Weimer taught history at said, adding his staff sends thoughts and prayers to Charlottesville. "As educators, we are aiways using. Randall K. Cooper High School in Union, Kentucky to James Alex teachable moments and providing guidance to students to create college, career and life ready students to make. Fields Jr. (Photo: The Enquirer/Meg good and sound choices.". In an interview with The Enquirer, Wilson said he was speaking for the entire district. He described Fields as "quiet and reserved" but declined to discuss specitic discipline or medical issues about Fields, citing federal privacy laws. Wilson said faculty members were "torn" about the situation, saying they were worried about the vicitms of the incident but also concerned about their. former student.. "We're all educators and we all are reflecting on what did we miss, or what could we do better," Wilson said. "We do that with any student who may have. made a wrong choice. "This is a tragic situation all the way around.". Weimer, who left the school in 2015, said he can't recall any direct communication with Fields' mother himself.. More: Ohio man charged in Charlottesville vehicle attack grew up in NKy (/story/news/2017/08/12/car-hit-charlottesville-crowd-purchased-florence-. registered-ohio-online-records-show/562283001/) http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/northern-ky/2017/08/13/charlottesville-suspects-beliefs-wer... 8/14/2017