Hate crime charge dropped - Crystal Lake High teen gets plea deal over anti-gay fliers
Hate crime charge dropped - Crystal Lake High teen gets plea deal over anti-gay fliers
By Carolyn Starks
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 21, 2007
McHenry County prosecutors dropped a felony hate-crime charge Wednesday against one of two 16-year-old girls accused of distributing anti-gay fliers outside a Crystal Lake high school after she agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges.
Under the deal, the Crystal Lake South High School student pleaded guilty in McHenry County Juvenile Court to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. She was ordered to remain in home detention on electronic monitoring until she is sentenced in August.
Charles McKenney, the teen's lawyer, said the girl and her mother decided it was best to resolve the charges without going to trial.
"When you weigh a felony against misdemeanors, to her it was an easy decision to make," McKenney said. "In my opinion, I don't think a hate crime or disorderly conduct should have ever been charged in this case."
The two girls were arrested May 11 by Crystal Lake police after they distributed about 40 fliers in the student parking lot at the high school. The fliers had a photograph of two males kissing and included inflammatory words, authorities said. Both males attend the school and one of them was identified in the photo.
The other girl was held in a juvenile detention facility for a time after her arrest, but was released May 29 on the condition that she be strictly monitored at home. She also was ordered to attend a drug and alcohol evaluation program.
Prosecutors said they believe the hate-crime charge was justified but said the plea to lesser charges was fair.
"There is a finding of delinquency," said State's Atty. Louis Bianchi. "In Juvenile Court, there are certain options for sentencing, and those are all available no matter what the charge."
The potential penalties range from probation to incarceration in a juvenile facility.
Before the girl is sentenced, an assessment of her home life and educational background will be done by a social worker.
McKenney said the girl was allowed to finish her final exams and said she "is on track to graduate early" next year.
"I think she regrets the situation ever got this large," he said.
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cstarks@tribune.com
By Carolyn Starks
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 21, 2007
McHenry County prosecutors dropped a felony hate-crime charge Wednesday against one of two 16-year-old girls accused of distributing anti-gay fliers outside a Crystal Lake high school after she agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges.
Under the deal, the Crystal Lake South High School student pleaded guilty in McHenry County Juvenile Court to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. She was ordered to remain in home detention on electronic monitoring until she is sentenced in August.
Charles McKenney, the teen's lawyer, said the girl and her mother decided it was best to resolve the charges without going to trial.
"When you weigh a felony against misdemeanors, to her it was an easy decision to make," McKenney said. "In my opinion, I don't think a hate crime or disorderly conduct should have ever been charged in this case."
The two girls were arrested May 11 by Crystal Lake police after they distributed about 40 fliers in the student parking lot at the high school. The fliers had a photograph of two males kissing and included inflammatory words, authorities said. Both males attend the school and one of them was identified in the photo.
The other girl was held in a juvenile detention facility for a time after her arrest, but was released May 29 on the condition that she be strictly monitored at home. She also was ordered to attend a drug and alcohol evaluation program.
Prosecutors said they believe the hate-crime charge was justified but said the plea to lesser charges was fair.
"There is a finding of delinquency," said State's Atty. Louis Bianchi. "In Juvenile Court, there are certain options for sentencing, and those are all available no matter what the charge."
The potential penalties range from probation to incarceration in a juvenile facility.
Before the girl is sentenced, an assessment of her home life and educational background will be done by a social worker.
McKenney said the girl was allowed to finish her final exams and said she "is on track to graduate early" next year.
"I think she regrets the situation ever got this large," he said.
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cstarks@tribune.com
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 7:46 AM
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