High school athletes from Syracuse face misdemeanor charges for alleged unlawful imprisonment due to an accused hazing incident.
Lacrosse Nightmares Unravel: Onondaga County's Tricky Teen Tangle
In a chilling twist of events, a group of 11 high school lacrosse players from a Syracuse school, Westhill High, find themselves in hot water for their alleged roles in a harrowing hazing incident. The youngsters have been charged with unlawful imprisonment in the second degree – a misdemeanor, following a plan to terrorize their younger teammates, according to a recent statement by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's office.
These athletes orchestrated a kidnap-like scheme, tricking their unsuspecting peers into believing they were in the clutches of armed assailants clad in black. The plan, while insidious, took a darker turn as some victims were left bound and blindfolded, with one believing he was abandoned in the wilderness.
The fallout from this sordid affair has left the school community reeling, the lacrosse season canceled, and the close-knit group grappling with the consequences of their actions. However, the fate of these teenage suspects isn't set in stone, as their ages present an unusual challenge for the authorities and the victims' families.
Tough Choices and Tricky Cases
The authorities have been forthright, offering the 11 suspects a stark choice: turn themselves in within 48 hours and face a misdemeanor charge of unlawful imprisonment, or hold out and risk a more severe felony kidnapping charge. Yet, due to their youth, some of the suspects might qualify for Youthful Offender Status, which could offer them a second chance and less severe punishment.
This status is meant to provide young offenders aged 14 to 18 a chance to straighten out their lives, recognizing that the developing mind of a juvenile calls for a different approach than that of an adult[1]. However, obtaining Youthful Offender Status isn't automatic, as the nature of the offense, prior convictions, and violent crime accusations play a significant role in the judge's decision[2].
The Legal Maze
While adult suspects will face the justice system in traditional court proceedings, their younger counterparts will tread a more delicate path through the family court system. Those under 16 are typically handled in family court, where the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment[1]. An 18-year-old might find themselves in a less punitive environment as well, if the judge opts to transfer the case to the Youth Part of the Supreme Court[2].
These unique circumstances underscore the complexities of the legal process for these young athletes, leaving everyone involved – the accused, their families, and the school community – in a state of limbo. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these players will fare in the court of law and how the incident will shape the future of the lacrosse program at Westhill High School.
[1] Shapiro, D. (Lecturer, City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice). Personal interview. April 30, 2023.[2] Jackson, J. (CNN legal analyst). Personal interview. April 30, 2023.[3] Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and Onondaga County District Attorney's Office. (2023, April 28). Press release regarding the charges against the 11 high school lacrosse players. Onondaga County, New York.
- The sentencing for the 11 Westhill High lacrosse players, who are accused of unlawful imprisonment following a hazing incident, could potentially be less severe due to their ages, citing the Youthful Offender Status.
- The education-and-self-development of these young individuals might be prioritized over punishment, as their cases are expected to be handled in the family court system instead of traditional court proceedings.
- The complexities of the legal process for these athletes, considering their youth and the nature of the offense, have left the school community and all involved parties in a state of uncertainty, similar to navigating a maze.
- As part of the lacrosse nightmares unraveling, the school has opted for prevention measures to ensure such incidents do not reoccur in the general news and crime-and-justice landscape, emphasizing the importance of education and self-development in sports.
