Teens plead guilty to bullying girl who killed herself (Phoebe Prince)

[cali]

NORTHAMPTON, Mass | Wed May 4, 2011 2:40pm EDT

NORTHAMPTON, Mass (Reuters) - Two teens in a group charged with bullying a newcomer to their school who committed suicide last year, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to lesser charges in a deal expected to erase more serious allegations.

The deal was expected for all five Massachusetts teens criminally charged with bullying Phoebe Prince with insults, physical threats and aggressive use of Facebook and texting.

Months after Prince's death, Massachusetts in 2010 outlawed bullying in school and online, and mandated school-developed bullying prevention and intervention plans.

In separate court appearances in Hampshire Superior Court, Sean Mulveyhill and Kayla Narey, now both 18, each admitted to a misdemeanor charge of criminal harassment. Each was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of community service.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/04/us-crime-bullying-prince-idUSTRE7436MF20110504

[hlthe2b]

1. Not a lot of justice...

RIP, Phoebe. I hope that your story will help someone somewhere some day.

[Zoeisright]

2. They should have received hard jail time.

Enough with the bullying. They need to be made an example.

[CJtheCosmonaut]

3. I'm 19, so I figure I have some insight into highschool functions...

Personally, no matter what programs or policies a school adopts, I don't think there is anyway to stop 'bullying' from occurring amongst children and young teens short of ensuring their parents don't suck.

Just because bullying occurs at school doesn't mean it's a school issue, in my opinion, it is mainly an upbringing and parenting issue, and no institution can fundamentally change that.

This was a tragic situation but I'm pretty sure the concept of bullying is intrinsic to human nature

[Brickbat]

4. You're right, this wasn't a school issue -- it was a criminal issue. Which is why they were charged.

Not sure why you're bringing school into it. Or why you're saying bullying until someone kills herself is somehow "natural."

[JI7]

5. it is a school issue if things are happening at the school also

of course there might be shitty parents involved but the school has responsibility also.

[jwirr]

6. My great grandson's elementary school has a anti-bullying program

that reaches every grade. However, he has been bringing some ideas home that we do not want him to believe in. Most of it is homophobic and he does not even know what he is talking about. Others are hateful toward Native Americans and unfortunately some Native Americans are hateful toward all of the rest of us. We are assuming that these other kids who are spreading this are from homes that use the language and ideas. We have reminded him that he is not supposed to follow the leader. He is supposed to do what is right and if he does not know then he should ask us.

Ending bullying in America where racism and hate seem to have a very strong hold again is not an easy thing.