Charges dropped against PA teen who recorded himself being bullied

[eridani]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/17/1292664/-Charges-dropped-against-PA-teen-who-recorded-himself-being-bullied

Cliff Notes version: the DA rightly concluded that these charges should have never been filed. Christian was initially accused of violating Pennsylvania's law against recording people without consent. However, the recording showed several kids tormenting Christian in full view of his math class and teacher--which means there was no expectation whatsoever of privacy. But even without that to consider, there is one whopper of an extenuating circumstance--the nature of the bullying that Christian and his mother, Shea Love, say that had to endure.

Christian, Ms. Love said, has been diagnosed with ADHD and an anxiety disorder. But, she continued, he also has a processing disability, which means that it takes him longer to process things in his mind. She estimated there had been eight to 10 incidents in his math class, which ranged from spitwads being shot at her son to hand sanitizer being thrown at his back to attempting to burn Christian with a lighter.

And yet, nothing seems to have been done about it. According to Love, the video shows that the teacher didn't even try to see if Christian was OK after a loud slamming sound was heard and one of the punks who was bullying him said, "What? I was just trying to scare him." There isn't a prosecutor in this country who could bring charges against someone for recording this type of bullying and still keep his job. Though I have to admit, seeing the administrators of this school have to explain under oath why they didn't do something earlier would have been worth the price of admission. Seen in that light, the DA did this school one whopper of a favor.

Christian has gotten a ton of support from his fellow students. Several parents have also risen up to support him as well. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a school board meeting on Tuesday saw school officials get kicked up, down and sideways by parents for the way they (mis)handled this affair.

[The Magistrate]

1. Not Enough, Ma'am: The Officer, Principal, And Teacher Need To Be Out On The Street

An incredible instance of malfeasance.

[DeSwiss]

3. +1000

[LadyHawkAZ]

2. Sunlight, that greatest of all disinfectants, works its magic again. n/t