Jan 22, 2008 6:33 pm US/Eastern
Attorneys Gather Information About Bus Violence
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
Lawyers representing a woman attacked on an MTA bus in Hampden last month are looking for other possible victims. They're investigating whether the #27 bus route has a history of violence.
Mike Hellgren has the latest twist in this high-profile case.
Eyewitness News spoke to one of the lawyers who won't say whether they're seeking this information for a lawsuit. The MTA has said the bus line is safe, with no such violent history.
Pictures show Sarah Kreager's face after police say she was beaten on the #27 bus in Hampden. Nine teenagers from Robert Poole Middle School are accused of attacking her and assaulting her boyfriend and the bus driver. Now lawyer John Calhoun says Kreager contacted him about the case and he has launched an investigation into violence along the route prior to her beating on Dec. 4.
"We're only concerned as to whether or not the MTA was put on some type of notice as to problems along that line," Calhoun said. "Threats, violence or anything involving Robert Poole Middle School."
That's where the nine attended classes.
As to whether Calhoun plans to use this information to file a lawsuit against the city or state, he said this: "I really couldn't speak to that now. Right now, we're just trying to gather information."
The nine teens are under electronic monitoring at home. They've maintained their innocence.
"It's a very weak case, and we think as soon as we can get to court, we can get these children's names cleared," said defense attorney Garland Sanderson.
Some have suggested that Kreager instigated the attack.
"Now my daughter's being punished for defending herself when she was attacked first," said William McDaniels, the father of one of the defendants.
But the state's attorney's office says there was no evidence Kreager instigated the attack. She's still recovering from fractured eye sockets and bruises.
"She's in protective custody with the police department and she is very badly injured," Calhoun said.
The teens are all being tried together in juvenile court. They also face charges for destruction of property.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
