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Four students from Westhill High School in Syracuse appeared in Onondaga town court on Thursday (May 15) to face charges of unlawful imprisonment. These charges stem from a hazing incident involving the school's boys lacrosse team. The students, all aged 18 or older, are accused of participating in a staged kidnapping of a younger teammate last month.
According to CNN, the incident involved 11 players who allegedly lured younger teammates to a remote location under the pretense of a team outing. Once there, the victims were blindfolded, bound, and one was placed in the trunk of a car. The younger players believed they were being abducted by armed assailants, though the weapons were later identified as replicas.
The four older students were arraigned in a closed courtroom, as reported by FingerLakes1.com. The judge decided to close the court to ensure fairness, as the cases of seven younger players are being handled privately in Family Court.
All 11 players involved accepted a deal to avoid felony charges and a criminal record. The Westhill Central School District has canceled the lacrosse season and is cooperating with the investigation. Superintendent Stephen Dunham emphasized the district's commitment to student safety and plans to enhance its anti-hazing programs.
The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the ongoing issue of hazing in schools. Attorney David Bianchi, a hazing litigation expert, noted in an interview with NewsNation that despite existing anti-hazing laws, incidents like this continue to occur. He stressed the importance of enforcing strict consequences to deter such behavior in the future, as reported by STFBC.
The legal proceedings for the older students will continue, while the younger players' cases are being managed by the probation department and Family Court. The incident underscores the need for stronger anti-hazing policies and proactive measures by schools to prevent similar occurrences.