Charges filed in football camp incident
Madison Dennis
Issue date: 7/22/10 Section: Front Page
An incident that took place in Nation Hall during a football camp at Pittsburg State is finally being resolved, although the implications of this resolution are still unclear. The Crawford County District Attorney has filed charges against 11 high school football players from Seneca, Mo., who were accused of abusing underclassmen at the football camp as part of a hazing ritual.
Charges on a 12th Seneca student are still pending.
During the incident, it was reported that the accused upperclassmen had beaten the freshmen with plastic window rods. In addition, several students were reported to have placed their genitals in the faces of the victims.
Michael Gayoso, the Crawford Country attorney, said that no sex crimes were committed, because Kansas law states that in order for a crime to be of a sexual nature, there has to be sexual gratification as a result of the act. After an investigation by the Pittsburg State Police Department, it was determined that this was not the case. In addition, no charges will be filed for hazing because Kansas law states that hazing can only occur as a part of gaining membership to an organization. Because the alleged victims were attending the football camp and already a part of the football team, the law does not apply.
Pittsburg State police conducted the investigation, as the incident took place on Pittsburg State property.
"The Seneca police department made themselves available to us," said Mike McCracken, director of the police department. "They were in full cooperation with us, but it was our investigation."
The university police department interviewed more than 50 students who attended the camp, which took place June 9 through 11. McCracken said that his officers identified 17 victims and 15 suspects.
Altogether, there are 39 felony aggravated battery charges and five misdemeanor battery charges being filed. One 18-year-old player is being charged as an adult, and Gayoso said that as many as three more of the suspects could be tried as adults. However, that decision will not be made until the end of the month.
The names of the suspects will not be released until the charges are approved, said Gayoso.
The Seneca school district has conducted its own investigation and punished several students according to their no-hazing policy. However, several parents are seeking hearings to appeal the punishment, which involve temporary to permanent expulsion from the athletic program.
The Seneca weightlifting camp was canceled after news of the alleged abuse came to light. The Seneca school district will not be able to determine which, if any, students will be barred from participating in the 2010 football team until after the charges have been approved.
Charges on a 12th Seneca student are still pending.
During the incident, it was reported that the accused upperclassmen had beaten the freshmen with plastic window rods. In addition, several students were reported to have placed their genitals in the faces of the victims.
Michael Gayoso, the Crawford Country attorney, said that no sex crimes were committed, because Kansas law states that in order for a crime to be of a sexual nature, there has to be sexual gratification as a result of the act. After an investigation by the Pittsburg State Police Department, it was determined that this was not the case. In addition, no charges will be filed for hazing because Kansas law states that hazing can only occur as a part of gaining membership to an organization. Because the alleged victims were attending the football camp and already a part of the football team, the law does not apply.
Pittsburg State police conducted the investigation, as the incident took place on Pittsburg State property.
"The Seneca police department made themselves available to us," said Mike McCracken, director of the police department. "They were in full cooperation with us, but it was our investigation."
The university police department interviewed more than 50 students who attended the camp, which took place June 9 through 11. McCracken said that his officers identified 17 victims and 15 suspects.
Altogether, there are 39 felony aggravated battery charges and five misdemeanor battery charges being filed. One 18-year-old player is being charged as an adult, and Gayoso said that as many as three more of the suspects could be tried as adults. However, that decision will not be made until the end of the month.
The names of the suspects will not be released until the charges are approved, said Gayoso.
The Seneca school district has conducted its own investigation and punished several students according to their no-hazing policy. However, several parents are seeking hearings to appeal the punishment, which involve temporary to permanent expulsion from the athletic program.
The Seneca weightlifting camp was canceled after news of the alleged abuse came to light. The Seneca school district will not be able to determine which, if any, students will be barred from participating in the 2010 football team until after the charges have been approved.
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