Jan 26, 2008 7:18 pm US/Eastern
Charges Dropped Against 1 Bowling Brook Counselor
WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ) ―
A teen dies in juvenile detention. Now, six counselors charged with endangering him by delaying calling an ambulance, ask a judge to throw out the charges.
Suzanne Collins reports prosecutors dropped charges against one youth counselor even before Friday's hearing.
Michael Corradi, a former youth counselor at the Bowling Brook School, faced five years in prison for recklessly endangering the life of Isaiah Simmons. Simmons died while being restrained at the Bowling Brook Juvenile Detention Facility. Friday, the state decided to drop charges against Corradi.
"Because he was not present during the period of time that Isaiah Simmons is alleged to have been in distress; he had already left the area and was not there during the time the grand jury charged there was a duty to call 911," Steven Allen, Corradi's lawyer.
Simmons was being held down by the counselors for bad behavior when he became asphyxiated. Charging documents say the counselors delayed 45 minutes in calling 911 after he appeared unconscious.
A rally was held earlier this week at the court by Simmons' family and friends demanding justice. They staged a reenactment to dramatize his death.
Even though Friday's arguments were legal and technical, many of Isaiah Simmons' family members were in court. They say it is important for them to monitor the legal system now and every day of these trials.
"I feel our presence here is going to demand a type of accountability," said Jeff Simmons, victim's uncle.
"It's so hard to describe how I feel. Words don't. But I just miss my son and I'm just praying we'll get the justice for him we're looking for," said Felicia Wilson, victim's mother.
Three other counselors including Mark Sainato, a father of two with a master's degree in social work, and Shadi Sabbagh, a supervisor from Bowling Brook School, argued in court Friday their cases should be thrown out.
The trials for the five counselors are currently scheduled for February and May.
Bowling Brook was closed after the teen's death. The state is now trying to recoup money given to that company for capital costs. The attorney general has filed a lein.
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