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NAPLES, Florida, March 2004 — Three
Collier County teens were charged with planning an act of violence at Lely
High School. These student appeared in court Friday morning the 5th of
March. This was the first public display of some of the evidence against the
students, who appeared in court cuffed and shackled.
It was believed that the students intended to hurt someone, and it was based
on the evidence found. June's journal found and in the journal an
entry stating he'd be the one to do the killing. Another item found was a
maps of Lely High School and a variety of swords and knives. On
Mescall's computer articles were found about bomb making and how to disrupt
schools. It is reported that his student reported making and setting
off pipe bombs before. There was a concern with these student alleged
involvement the Goth.
Mescall's lawyer said about his client, "This is not a loner. Not a
kid with piercings and trenchcoats, not what he's portrayed to be,"
Lawyer Faerber says the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.
"A lot of boys go out in the woods and do these things, but don't intend
to harm anybody," Faerber said. The Lawyer reports that no bomb
making materials was found in the homes and that any talk of killings was
pure fantasy that the kids never intended to carry out.
The sheriff's office states that, "They were arrested because we feel
they were planning something," said sheriff's office spokesperson Tina
Osceola.
Authorities say
the Lely students had talked about carrying out an assault similar to what
happened at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., in 1999 when two
students took their own lives after going on a shooting and bombing rampage
that killed 12 other students and a teacher.
All three teenagers are charged with second
degree felonies. The first charge is conspiracy to make, throw or place a
destructive device. They were also charged with attempting to do so, which
is an act of terrorism.
Once again we ask ourselves, "Have we done all that
we can to insure the safety of our schools?" Keys To Safer Schools.com
is making a special offer to any school to review your crisis planning and
provide a written critique of any shortcomings found. To take advantage of
this offer, mail your school’s Crisis Plan and supporting documents to:
Keys To Safer Schools.com
P.O. Box 296
Bryant, AR 72089-0296.
Visit the Keys website for valuable information and
resource material on school violence prevention at http://keystosaferschools.com.
Programs to Combat Violence
Reported By:
Staff of
Keys To Safer Schools.com
If
you have any comments or questions please Email us at keys@keystosaferschools.com.
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(501)246-8835
