by Hector Flores
Wayne County (Pa.) District Attorney Mark Zimmer, who is investigating the case, has asked the Pennsylvania Court of Pleas to transfer the case to adult criminal court. A hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, after press time, to determine whether the alleged assailants would be treated as adults.
The attacks were carried out at a pre-season football camp in Preston Park, Pa., during the last week of August. The alleged assailants used a broomstick, pine cones and golf balls in the attacks.
Family and friends of the three victims fear that the alleged assailants would be tried as juveniles.
The uncle of one victim said, "We are trying to urge the judge to try the kids as adults. The crime is too horrible to be tried in the juvenile court. If these kids are tried as juveniles, they will only get a six-month probation, and it will be a whole different scene."
The uncle also said that the victims are distraught. "These kids are broken for life because of this," he said. "As a family, we are devastated, and we can't believe that this has happened."
According to the uncle, parents of two victims became increasingly concerned that the alleged attackers would be tried as juveniles after they met last week in Pennsylvania with Wayne County's Chief of Probation Robert Williams. At the meeting, Williams reportedly told the parents that he would recommend to the judge that the alleged assailants be tried as juveniles.
A source close to the case said that parents misunderstood what Williams had said and that the ultimate decision lies with the judge.
"The judge will take into account factors and sub-factors," the source said. "In total, there are 15, and include impact to victims and the community, criminal history and use of weapons."
