Posted on 04/21/2005 9:12:25 PM PDT by flutters
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One of the teens expelled after an alleged sexual attack last month at Mifflin High School is appealing his expulsion, NBC 4's Elenora Andrews reported.
A ninth-grade special education student claims she was forced to perform oral sex on at least two boys at the high school auditorium while others reportedly watched the acts and another student allegedly videotaped it.
The teens in question were expelled. But one, who had a Dayton-area pastor as a spokesman and his mother by his side, spoke publicly Thursday about the alleged incident.
The high school senior was expelled for allegedly videotaping the incident.
"Clearly this act was totally wrong," The Rev. Jerome McCorry said.
But the student's spokesman said it was wrong to expel the teen.
"There is nothing on the tape that implicates this young man, No. 1, was involved in any act, and No. 2, that he set out to record anything," McCorry said.
Columbus police confiscated the tape, but neither police nor district officials will comment on the tape or when they will complete their investigations.
Statements obtained by NBC 4 that were given to district officials show that a number of people witnessed the alleged sex act, and that students reportedly saw the tape.
Those are claims the teen denies.
"None of us have ever seen this tape," McCorry said. "The tape was never used. We have a principal who says that the expulsion was issued in part because of the taping of a sexual incident, and yet she's never seen the tape. So, we're fighting this case. This is clearly an injustice."
An independent arbitrator will give his ruling on the expulsion appeal in about a week, Andrews reported.
"There was no intention to tape anything," McCorry said. "Most of the tape is sound and not a picture where you hear laughing and giggling and that kind of thing, to our understanding. So, his only role again is being in the wrong place in the wrong time. What we've been able to find out is that there's only about seven seconds of tape. So, clearly, if there was an intent to tape an act, it would be a lot more than seven seconds worth of tape in this situation."
The teen's mother said her son was interviewed a month ago. While she and the pastor said the teen did not commit a crime, Columbus police will not comment on potential charges. They said it is an ongoing investigation.
Investigation Continues
The Mifflin High School principal lost her job as part of the investigation. But now there are new questions about whether one of the assistant principals should have been in the school in the first place.
Three of the administrators disciplined in the Mifflin investigation have excellent records, but former assistant principal Suzie Retterer-Helfrich had a series of evaluations where she did not meet expectations, Andrews reported. Pages of documents dating back to 1999 show that Retterer-Helfrich "failed to exercise good judgment," adding that she "did not take responsibility for her actions or communicate properly with parents."
A later review said she would overcome all of the claims, but similar allegations have come again, Andrews reported.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories: April 21, 2005: Talk Show Host Discusses Mayor's Comments With NBC 4 April 20, 2005: Mayor Calls Radio Show Host Over Alleged Sexual Assault April 20, 2005: Changes Announced Following Alleged High School Assault April 19, 2005: CPS Administrators Meet In Wake Of Mifflin Allegations April 16, 2005: Officials, Students Could Face Charges In Alleged Sexual Assault April 14, 2005: Investigation Into Alleged School Assault Continues April 13, 2005: Witnesses: Disabled Girl Punched, Forced To Perform Sex Acts April 6, 2005: Principal Fired For Not Calling Police About Sexual Assault
I believe there's a guy in Chicago who is paying child support as a result of a "deposit" that he made in a woman's mouth which she later relocated...that might disagree with that statement.
He didn't use a camera phone. He was using a school owned video camera for some project.
Peeping toms are punished by law; why not this video-taping/peep tom?
An oral report is still a report. Oral hygiene is hygiene. An oral exam is... etc.
Still, your post was enjoyable.
Soon I expect Bush to attempt to drag this little child through the streets while chained to the back of his Haliburton owned pickup truck!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.