Mar 19, 2008 6:31 am US/Eastern
Verdict Reached In MTA Bus Beating Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
The equivalent of a guilty verdict. Four of the five teens are found involved in the beating of Sarah Kreager, with a fifth found involved in other charges.
Mary Bubala has reaction to the decision.
Prosecutors called the verdicts a triumph for justice, while lawyers for some of the teenagers aren't sure justice was served.
It was a brutal beating on board an MTA bus with racial overtones. But after an eight week trial, a juvenile court judge came down hard on four of five teenagers involved in the beating of Sarah Kreager. The fifth was found involved in reckless endangerment of Kreager and conduct that caused danger to Kreager's boyfriend.
Judge David Young found enough involvement beyond a reasonable doubt against the four to sustain felony first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy charges. In some cases, there were also disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct charges.
The teenagers face a maximum punishment on each charge of commitment to a juvenile facility until the age of 21.
"Sentencing in any juvenile matter is at the discretion of the juvenile court judge," said Marty Burns, spokesperson with the State's Attorney's Office.
The judge's decision brings an end to a high profile case that started on an MTA bus with a dispute between Kreager, her boyfriend and a group of teenagers.
"There was enough evidence to find everyone on that bus, including the bus driver, probably of some kind of culpability and the judge rendered a very well-thought out, well-reasoned judgement," said defense attorney Donald Wright.
Kreager and her boyfriend left court without talking about the convictions. The judge will decide each teenager's fate during another hearing on April 3.
In all, nine teenagers were initially charged. Before Tuesday's ruling, one already admitted to being involved. Three teens are still awaiting trial.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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