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Posted on Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.

Pioneer student charged in brawl rejects plea offer, set for trial in June

By John Counts

One of the 17-year-old Pioneer High School students facing assault charges after last fall's high school football brawl rejected a plea offer Friday that could have eventually removed the case from his record.

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One of the teenagers involved in last fall's football fight rejected a plea deal in court Friday morning.

Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Julie Sisson said if the boy admitted responsibility or pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, the prosecution wouldn't object to a sentencing agreement or a deferred sentencing.

A deferred sentencing allows the defendant to have the charges wiped from his or her record if the defendant fulfills certain obligations, usually involving probation and fines.

The boy's attorney, Brooke Williams, told Judge Donald Shelton she informed her client of his choices in the plea deal, but that he declined.

"He has decided he wants to proceed to trial," she said.

A jury trial was scheduled for June 24. There will be a chance at a plea deal before then, however. A final pretrial hearing was scheduled for June 7. A resolution in the case could come anytime between now and then.

June 7 is also the deadline for both the defense and prosecution to share evidence in the case. Sisson said she was still waiting for evidence from a Twitter account, but did not elaborate in court about what the content from the account might reveal.

After the hearing let out, the boy hugged his mother in the hallway of the courthouse and greeted some of the many supporters from the Ann Arbor Concerned Citizens for Justice group who were on hand to protest. The group alleges the charges are racially motivated. All three students charged in the incident are black.

The brawl started when coaches from Huron High School and Pioneer met after the game Oct. 12 and began a verbal altercation that turned physical when assistant coach Vince Wortmann shoved Huron head coach Cory Gildersleeve.

Wortmann was not charged because prosecutors ruled he believed he was defending Pioneer head coach Paul Test.

Wortmann was fired after the incident. Both head coaches have since resigned.

The Ann Arbor Board of Education passed a resolution last month asking the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office to "re-evaluate the degree of criminalization" of the three students' actions during the brawl.

The boy — whom AnnArbor.com is not naming because he is a juvenile — is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and assault and battery.

A second 17-year-old Pioneer student was found responsible on one count of misdemeanor assault and battery on Feb. 6. He is awaiting disposition, the equivalent of a sentencing in juvenile court, which is scheduled for April 30. The juveniles are both accused of kicking a Huron High School player in the face.

A jury trial for 18-year-old Bashir Garain, the third Pioneer student charged in the melee, is set to begin Monday. Police said Garain swung his crutch at a group of players during the brawl. Garain is accused of using his crutch as a dangerous weapon during the fight. He faces two felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery.

John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

Stuart Brown

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.

Carole said, "Life is all about choices -- so be it. With bad choices come consequences." Not so Carole; the bankers along with their counterparts in Government who tanked the economy in 2008 made a number of bad choices but nevertheless, are doing quite well, thank you very much. Justice in America has more to do with who you are and less to do with what you did. This case makes this point abundantly clear. How else can you explain why Washtenaw County Prosecutor Brian Mackie was not charged with petty theft a few years ago when he stole coins from a pay telephone--it is because of who he is, not what he did. When people who are members of the "In" group do it, it's not a crime, because, reprehensible as it is, we don't want to ruin their lives with a criminal conviction. When people are members of the "Out" group, we remind them that there are consequences to their actions.

WLD1

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.

Seriously, destroying kids lives with a criminal record for a little scuffle, talking about our country becoming a weak socialist society where we no longer can express ourselfs. I rather see them smack easy other at the time then hold in the tension and shoot each other later. Our society needs to stop this over protection of everyone. Just for a Profit. Most of the time charges are brought up on people so the courts and state can make money off the fees.

EyeHeartA2

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.

Did you read the article? The record would have been erased, had he taken the plea. Now? He may be in for it. It was his choice, just like the choices he made in the video.

JimB

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 4:29 p.m.

Jail time? Are you kidding me? Jail time? Let's take a step back here for a second. These are kids playing a football game. Would a criminal record for these kids really make the Ann Arbor community sleep better at night? Their behavior was inappropriate, no doubt. But jail time and criminal records? Give me a break man. Put this thing in context, two rival sports teams in the heat of battle, acted beyond reason. Jail time? This is 100% the coaches fault for producing the environment for this to happen. The administrators should take blame too for not being involved in knowing what the environment is at each school's football program. They are 'adults' and 'educators' charged with teaching and controlling these young men. Not unlike the recent situation at Rutgers. Ok, then let's charge the UofM players and OSU every year when they throw punches on their way in and out of the tunnel before each 'big game'. We have all witnessed it on TV. Or let's file charges against every batter that charges the mound and fights with a pitcher at Comerica Park. Gimme a break. Crutch or no crutch, jail time? Really?

JimB

Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.

You mean stomping on players like Ndomekon Suh? No jail time there. Punishments should fit the actions. Jail is excessive.

Usual Suspect

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.

Really? You're that lazy? http://lmgtfy.com/?q=nhl+player+assault

concerned

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.

Usual, the hockey game you're talking about is?

Usual Suspect

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.

The game was over. This wasn't football. Even if it were, since when did football involve attacking other players with a weapon? Stomping on another player's face with your cleats? I haven't seen that in the rule book. The football field does not have some line of demarcation around it that allows people to engage is felonious behavior. And, to make you happy, there have been hockey players who have been charged with felonies after taking a swing with a stick to another player's face. And that was during a game, not after it.

Silly Sally

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.

Bad boys, bad boys, what ya gonna do when they come for you? Call Jesse, Al, and the Ann Arbor BOE. Sadly, now he never will learn. Even if he is convicted (rightly in my opinion) and sent to jail, even for a week or a month, and has this stain on his record for life, he will now believe that "the man" was out to get me", Jesse and Al told me so, along with the AA School Board. " I did nothing wrong. I was railroaded because I'm black, not because of my actions that night." What a tragic message to send to the community and to him. Now there will be good chance that he will do worse when he gets older and ...we'll learn his name as he'll be back in the news once again. The deadly weapon charge is an overreach - a foot or a cleated shoe? but the rest of them are spot on and I feel that he is as guilty as sin, and that he did sin that night. The AA BOE needs to stick with th 3 Rs

Ron Burgandy

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 2:07 p.m.

Big mistake. If this case goes to a jury and the jury decides the case solely on the facts and the law, keeping emotion out of it, like a good jury should, this young man will have wished he took the plea. He is obviously getting bad advice.

Silly Sally

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:55 p.m.

This boy should have taken the deal since the deal would wipe his record clean very soon as he would soon turn either 18 or 21. He would pay a small fine, less than he now will pay his attorney, and pick up some trash along a road. This will end it. The mental anguish of having this hanging over one's head cannot be fun. I'm glad that he did not take the deal as he is not sorry and likely feels no remorse and would do it again. He may have skipped his whole life, and thinks he will once again. A week or a month in jail to wake him up will be good for society, and he needs a reminder on his record for the rest of his life. Oh, are some young still foolish. Oh, so silly

hawkhulk

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.

What bugs me is that the same prosecutors office who insists on prosecuting this case whereby there was a minor injury is the same office that released on bail two murder suspects from the Peninsula Place crime. This office has its priorities misplaced.

Angry Moderate

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.

The prosecutor does not make bail decisions.

Widow Wadman

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.

Ms. Sisson, you gave him a generous offer. Don't make it any more generous. Thank you for prosecuting this case. People should not be able to assault other people and walk away. Please don't give in to the "educators" who ask you to look the other way and not proceed with the case. Please don't reduce the charge. The charge seems appropriate.

Carole

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.

Life is all about choices -- so be it. With bad choices come consequences.

Ruth

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 11:21 a.m.

Ann Arbor reads The New Jim Crow and shakes its collective head at the dreadful behavior everywhere but here!

Robert E.

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:07 a.m.

Wow...in the bastion of liberalism...Ann arbor.com is officially a conservative rag...congrats ultra right wing AnnArborites...

EyeHeartA2

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.

".because I know the majority of the U.S, agrees with me, not the small subset represented here." WOW. you are good!! When did you conduct the poll?

Usual Suspect

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.

" because there is no attempt whatsoever to try to find middle ground" That's exactly what a plea bargain is. This is unbelievable.

1bit

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 11:47 a.m.

@Robert E: Wouldn't middle ground have been to take the plea deal?

a2citizen

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.

Find "middle ground" in an assault case ? It's either guilty or not guilty. There is no middle ground.

Jack Gladney

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 5:44 a.m.

@Robert E .. Nice way to throw a meaningless label around to fail at making your point. You should throw in Sarah Palin and Rick Snyder's name for a few thumbs up.

Robert E.

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 4:27 a.m.

Indeed Usual...its because there is no attempt whatsoever to try to find middle ground...because I know the majority of the U.S, agrees with me, not the small subset represented here...If there is no attempt to find middle ground, what else is there? Over half the rest of the population is entirely wrong about juvenile justice???

Usual Suspect

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 3:56 a.m.

Why, Robert, because nobody agrees with you? Perhaps the problem isn't external.

EyeHeartA2

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 3:40 a.m.

Please explain. I have no idea why this would be a conservative or liberal issue, unless liberals are in favor of assault. Is that the case?

Macabre Sunset

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 2:32 a.m.

I don't think demanding personal responsibility is necessarily exclusive to the right wing. But go ahead and keep trying to confuse the issue - it's the only shot the kids have.

EyeHeartA2

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 11:19 p.m.

Almost as bad a decision as stomping a football player and swinging a crutch. At this point, if he gets tossed in the clink, he has nobody to blame but himself.

a2xarob

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.

And the folks advising him not to take the deal. He is misguided.

jpud

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 11:13 p.m.

time for a reality check......this is teachable moment.

John of Saline

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.

He's probably been convinced by those around him that the prosecution is based on race rather than evidence. That's a toxic thing to teach a youngster.

Basic Bob

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 5:15 a.m.

@Dkeen, The plea deals were accepted because the defendants believed there was a significant chance that the outcome might not be in their favor. But we will never know if the evidence would support a guilty verdict now, because no trial occurred. It is a moot point.

Dkeen

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 3:37 a.m.

The point of a trial is to have all the evidence laid out -- that is his right. No one is saying there is no evidence but clearly his lawyer must feel the evidence would not warrant a felony charge. The "evidence" presented in the other cases where a plea was accepted would not have held up in trial .

Friendly Guy

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.

Bashir is not having a trial Monday. Case is resolved!

Dkeen

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.

"Violent Child", "Cushy deal"??? What world do you all live in??? ALL of the football players from Pioneer AND Huron were on that field participating in the fight. I. WAS.THERE!!! were you? How did they decide to prosecute only 3 children (at least you got the child part right). For the record, only one person sustained injury so how do you have 3 defendants? I suppose we should discount the stress and anxiety of facing felony charges. May I also point out that the injuries sustained during the fight were MUCH less severe than injuries our boys sustain by playing football in the first place. Maybe we should prosecute the Saline player that injured a Pioneer player a few years ago that resulted in a multiple compound fracture of the leg and had our player in a wheelchair? Let's get some perspective. I am ASHAMED to live in a community that would waste resources on this and make the comments some of you have made.

kathy coles

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 4:04 a.m.

Huron players were to do community service, as they have done in the past, and many of these young men do community service on there own not as part of the football team. It was my understanding that Pioneer players were also going to do community service, not sure of that happened or not. Yes, all the kids were on the field, however Huron players would have had to cross the field in order to go into their locker room, so in my opinion they did the right thing by standing behind their bench or going to stand by/near their parents who were standing on the other side of the fence. I don't think things would have gotten this out of hand if White would have still been principal. The Pioneer AD was new, maybe that was why she didn't get fired? I do know that on the Huron side, the kids were talked to by several adults regarding what happened, apologies were made by adults involved and the "teachable" moment was used. However, if we used every crime as a teachable moment and didn't prosecute anyone for crimes would we really be better off? I think by the young men being held accountable for their choice of action is a very teachable moment for the rest of their teammates and school mates. It is teaching them that you can't just do what you please with no consequences - something that all young people and unfortunately older adults need to learn.

Dkeen

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 3:31 a.m.

I am sure that some players were trying to help instead of fighting but as far as I could see all the players were on the field and it was not only Pioneer players swinging. More would be learned from anger management classes and community service for both teams. Coming together to give back to the community -- now that would be a teachable moment. Where are the adults involved? Not in court.

towncryer

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:17 p.m.

Wow, kathy coles, sounds like some of that stuff got swept under the carpet. How the AD kept her job after all this is beyond me....well, actually it's not too hard to figure out. wonder how this would have all went down if Principal White was still there or the Board hadn't waffled all summer?

kathy coles

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 4:31 a.m.

DKeen, if you were truly there, you would know that not all of the players on the field were fighting. My son was on the field and he was NOT fighting. He along with many of his teammates went and stood behind their bench or along the fence. These young men did the right thing, some of them younger then the ones that have been accused of crimes. How did these young men know to make the right choice and the 3 accused did not? I also wonder why no mention of the students from Pioneer that came out of the stands and onto the field? While the interim principal and the AD both stood there with their hands up to stop the kids? Or no mention if the Pioneer fans yelling at the Huron players as they went into the locker room at halftime, or the Pioneer players sticking their heads into the Huron locker room, along with some of their coaches,yelling at the Huron players? Did you ever consider that these 3 men are being charged, not because of the color of their skin, but because they were the 3 that were engaging in criminal activity? This was never a race issue until the BOE, ACLU and the other groups made it a race issue

EyeHeartA2

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.

Yep, lots of kids handed one of their crutches to anther kid, covered up with their hood and stomped a player from the opposing team. ...or maybe only one. What did the video show? Now THERE's and inconvenient truth.

Ricardo Queso

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 10:29 p.m.

You do have a point. The vast majority of us have never experienced felony charges not have or family or acquaintances. What have we been doing wrong?

C. Montgomery Burns

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 10:22 p.m.

Dkeen...I was there too. However I did not see ALL of the football players participating in the fight, as you have indicated. I was in the stands watching the entire incident from the time Gildersleeve and Test were yelling at each other from across the field, before the game ended, until the brawl ended and the field was cleared. In fact, some of the players, including my son, turned around from the melee and were directing students that were running onto the field from the stands trying to get them off the field. Some kids did the right thing and did not start swinging crutches and kicking opposing players in the face with cleats.

Solitude

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.

"Indeed Dkeen...they have no shame and no grace and are out for blood..."lock em up and throw away the key" mentality..." Robert E, you can spin it however you want, but the fact that they offered the kid a misdemeanor plea and the opportunity for a deferred judgement proves you wrong. I'm sure that won't stop anyone who's determined to cling to the idea of victimization based on race, however. Personally, I think that if they were going to be willing to let him plead to a misdemeanor, that's what they should have charged him with from the start.

Robert E.

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.

Indeed Dkeen...they have no shame and no grace and are out for blood..."lock em up and throw away the key" mentality and complete ignorance regarding child development...the ignorance is so pervasive its disgusting...these same people will be wondering where their precious tax dollars are going as we continue to fill our prisons full of the most vulnerable in our society and divert funds from much less expensive rehabilitation efforts...unbelievably sad...

ccsummer

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 9:27 p.m.

I was so hoping someone who was there would speak up because my understanding all along has been that there were a whole lot of people involved and to charge just three kids was very suspect. Thank you for verifying my understanding of the situation.

Billy

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.

"Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Julie Sisson said if the boy admitted responsibility" Admitted responsibility........that is the ENTIRE problem.....

Martha Cojelona Gratis

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.

yawn. let bygones be bygones and let this boy run free. case closed. go back to sleep ann arbor.

jns131

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.

If mine was responsible? Jail time. No problem with that one. Unless it is time served in a convent scrubbing floors and toilets with a toothbrush.

shadow wilson

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.

Of course ...unless it was your kid that was on the business end of this assault

Usual Suspect

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.

The group is named, "Ann Arbor Concerned Citizens for Justice" but they're advocating for injustice for the victim. A very deceitful name. "The group alleges the charges are racially motivated." The group alleges. Got any proof? I didn't think so.

Stuart Brown

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.

LindaJ, look what you just said in regard to the white coaches, "...because of their reprehensible behavior..." How convenient the Prosecutor's office could find no criminal charges to come with to charge the main instigators (but heck, given that the Obama Administration could find no criminal charges to charge Wall Street executives who tanked the economy in 2008, it's just business as usual.) You see, the way "Justice" works in America has more to do with who you are and less to do with what you did. This case is a very teachable moment in regard to this point and is making this fact abundantly clear. The mask is being ripped off by this case; what a mockery of the concept of "blind justice!" The irony here is that the people who claim justice in this country is color blind are clinging to the way things are supposed to be, not the way they are. Pretending that something is not so when it is helps nobody in the end.

LindaJ

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.

Stuart Brown, were any of "the dozens involved" committing criminal acts for which they have not yet been charged? If so, perhaps you could examine the videos and point out those acts and insist on the filing of charges. As for outrage over the light punishment given to the white coaches, that outrage has been expressed, not because of the color of their skin but because of their reprehensible behavior. If you think charges should be filed, again, pursue that avenue too. You are obviously concerned, articulate, and energetic. I wish you the best in directing those abilities toward justice for everyone involved.

Stuart Brown

Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 5:29 a.m.

'"The group alleges the charges are racially motivated." The group alleges. Got any proof? I didn't think so.' The proof is that the only people charged are black when dozens were involved. This fact is also consistent with State and Federal experience in regard to the rate of imprisonment of black people in the USA (1/8th the USA population, 1/2 of the prison population.) There will be no justice here because a legal lynching has already taken place regardless of the trial outcome. It is hypocritical for people to demand accountability for three black kids while demanding no accountability for any of the non-black people involved. Where is the outrage over the light punishments given out to the white coaches? Usual Suspect should be honest and admit that there is no evidence anybody from "Ann Arbor Concerned Citizens for Justice" could ever offer up that would satisfy him/her because his/her mind is already made up.

average joe

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.

It would be a shame if his decision to pass on the plea deal was because of all of the 'support' from the many groups who feel that he was one of those who was singled out because of his race. I would guess this support was a big factor in his decision. I think he should have took the deal, since it would erase it from his record.

local

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.

And part of that group is the AAPS BOE!! That is even more of an issue in my mind.

Usual Suspect

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.

I agree. I hope he has a lawyer who is isolating him from the emotion-based, race-baiting crazies and making decisions instead based on real information.

Basic Bob

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.

Hoping that a jury overlooks hard evidence is a big risk. His attorney might be hoping for a hung jury and a mistrial.

jns131

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.

This offer he rejected was the best offer he could have had. Fines and community service. How hard is it to pick up trash? I don't think anything better is going to come of it.

lynel

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.

As it stands it sounds like a pretty good offer.

Usual Suspect

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.

Or holding out for a better offer?

Craig Lounsbury

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.

Let justice be served whatever that may be. Its certainly his choice to make. I hope it was was made solely in conjunction with his lawyer and immediate family and he isn't a pawn in a bigger game.

observer

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.

The case that keeps living.......

jns131

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:26 a.m.

Why does the name Kwame keep coming to mind? He went to trial and came out guilty. Now he wants a bond release for time served. What a mess all around.

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.

I'd agree, but the race-based group that follows every move in the case will be very intimidating to potential jurors. I would be very surprised if there are any convictions in this case. This is probably why the child refused what seems like a very cushy plea deal. Counts, were there any school board members in the group of "supporters" for this violent child?

ViSHa

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.

This seems like a conflict of interest with Susan Baskett, she is choosing these students over the student(s) who were assaulted. A person like that has no business on a school board and it is a shame that no one in authority can/is doing something about it. Her colleagues should be ashamed.

local

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.

Robert E, first off, you are making this seem like the young man did nothing wrong, which he clearly (video) did. Secondly, I would hope that you would want young folks to man up and admit they were wrong, like this young man refused to do. This was a great plea deal, but folks like you (and the group protesting) want to make it into a bigger issue then it really is. If you don't want to be put in these situations, don't commit the crime. If this were any other person, college student at Michigan, we would hear nothing about this. But because it is a high school student, we need to over protect them? This is a tough lesson, but the lesson could have been learned by admitting he did wrong and then everyone could move on.

Robert E.

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 9:59 p.m.

Yes Sandy I realize he is not being charged as an adult...I was making a larger point regarding the way our justice system handles juvenile crime...and ms, please show me the respect of not misconstruing my words...you know for a fact that I have said these boys do deserve consequences for their actions if convicted and Ive never said that violence is acceptable...you have ignored my points regarding considerations that need to be taken into account when children are involved and if you believe children should be treated the same as adults there is no use in even having this discussion...if you choose to respond, please do so with substance...

Usual Suspect

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 9:27 p.m.

"What "sense" is it to teach young people that violence is an acceptable response to seeing an argument?" +1

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 8:48 p.m.

What "sense" is it to teach young people that violence is an acceptable response to seeing an argument? Robert, as I've said before, your attitudes do more to harm people of his race than anyone's. We must expect more from people.

Sandy Castle

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 8:38 p.m.

Robert, this young man was not charged as an adult.

Robert E.

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.

Still refusing to put any context around this huh ms...well, at least I tried to talk some sense into you..."violent child"...child being the key term...Michigan is now ranked #2 in the country in trying and imprisoning children age 14-17 as adults...the vast majority of these children are minorities, live in poverty, are assigned overwhelmed public defenders, and have IQs hovering anywhere from 60-80...and you're telling me these children understand their rights? Yeah...thats "justice"...Ugh...

towncryer

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 6:40 p.m.

^^^shocker!

John Counts

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.

There was at least one school board member at the court hearing this morning to my knowledge, Susan Baskett.

Brad

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.

So how much will this whole fiasco wind up costing us before it's over? $1 million? $2 million? More?? Nice leadership.

nowayjose

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.

It doesn't cost anybody any extra money form their taxes if that's what your implying. Budgets are handed out at the beginning of the fiscal year not on a case by case basis so implying going through this cost any extra isn't the case. You are familiar with how government budgets work aren't you? The judges prosecutors and public defenders are all salaried employees. The only cost is to the defendant if he has a paid attorney.

a2xarob

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.

I hope he does continue to refuse a plea deal. Let him face a jury; it may be the only way he will learn the consequences of this kind of behavior. So far, he has become a minor celebrity. Amazing.

Silly Sally

Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.

Sadly, now he never will learn. Even if he is convicted (rightly in my opion) and sent to jail, even for a week or a month, and has this stain on his record for life, he will now beleive that "the man" was out to get me", Jesse and Al told me so, along with the AA Schood Board. " I did nothing wrong. I was railroaded because I'm black, not because of my actions that night." What a tragic message to send to the community and to him. Now there will be good chance that he will do worse when he gets older and ... The deadly weapon charge is an overreach - a foot or a shoe? but the rest of them are spot on and he is as guilty as sin, and he did sin that night.

1bit

Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.

Two bad choices so far... Or is this the 3rd strike already?