Articles
Teen Harassment Case Settled After Months of Debate
A judge dismissed a controversial case against two teen boys accused of sexually harassing four girls at school. The boys apologized in court and reportedly must pay $250 to each of the girls as part of a civil compromise.
Case Sparks Debate
The two 13-year-old boys were arraigned in February on misdemeanor and felony sex-abuse charges for smacking the girls’ bottoms and grabbing their breasts. However, public opposition to the charges—which could’ve landed the boys in prison and on a sex offender registry—forced prosecutors make some changes.
Prosecutors dropped the felony sex abuse charges, adding instead misdemeanor harassment. Eventually, the misdemeanor sex abuse charges were dropped and the boys faced with only the harassment charges.
The case drew national attention and sparked a debate over whether or not such behavior in schools deserves criminal punishment. As time passed, pressure for prosecutors to drop the charges steadily built.
Judge Drops Charges
The four girls asked Yamhill County Judge John Collins to drop the charges, and on Monday he did just that. According to Judge Collins, the action was carried out “in the interest of justice.”
During Monday’s hearing, the boys issued apologies to the girls.
“I never intended to hurt you in anyway,” one of them said.
“I hope we can still be friends,” the other one added.
(Source: The Seattle Times online)
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