Update 2: Videotaped Beating Of A Gay Student

More news on that story of the gay student and the videotaped beating he endured at the hands of a school bully. See original posts HERE and HERE.

While there are potential criminal charges that could be pending against the attacker, the Unioto High School administrators have reviewed their initial disciplinary measures--they suspended the attacker for a mere three days--after seeing new information revealed in the cellphone video.

Principal Jim Osborne said the discipline would have been reviewed sooner, but the mother of the student, who was seen violently attacking another student for being gay, had taken her son out of town because of the media attention. Or, maybe because she was trying to hide her son from authorities.

“The discipline has been revisited," said Osborne, "based on the ongoing investigation and in light of the new evidence.” But the altered disciplinary actions were not released by the district, citing student privacy concerns. Or, maybe to protect the school for not protecting a student.

Osborne did confirm the student who filmed the fight with her cell phone--who was allegedly the cousin of the attacker--was also disciplined, and has yet to return to school at the decision of her mother. See, when you shine the light on bullies and their videotaping allies, their scurry into the dark like rats.

Ross County Prosecutor Matt Schmidt has asked the sheriff’s office to investigate further and get medical records for the victim if they exist. “Because of all the stuff that has come to light, I’ve asked for more information,” Schmidt said.

Sheriff George Lavender said his deputy went to Unioto to conduct additional interviews and was checking to see if the victim had been sent for medical attention because the initial report indicated there had been some visible injuries, but they appeared to be minor. The gay student sustained a knot behind his ear, a black eye, a chipped tooth and a possible concussion.

The extent of the injury and the medical records are needed for Schmidt to determine if the assault meets the criteria to be considered a felony. His office is waiting on charging the juvenile until the additional investigation is completed because, if a lesser charge is filed, and then additional evidence comes to light later, that shows that a higher-degree charge could have been pursued, Schmidt said they could not go back and change it. 

I say wait for, look for it, find, and then punish the attacker and his camera-cousin to the fullest extent of the law.

That might send a message that this will not be tolerated; that what starts out as name-calling and shoving and "teasing" often ends up with someone bruised and battered, or dead.

via The Chillicothe Gazette