The circle shock thing sounds like a bunch of hicks (not even rising to the level of redneck).
But, if Kelley taught the class the math and theory underlying the assertions he made about safety and safety provisions, and wasn’t the source of the dare, as far as I am concerned he ought to get everything back including legal and consequential costs and a fair chunk of damages. It’s pretty sure these lawyers don’t know squat about electrical theory.
My high school radio shop had metal bench tops. At one time or another, most of us learned the reason for the “one hand in the pocket” rule.