Alleged Upper Darby bullies denied release, judge boots media from court
The seven Upper Darby boys, ages 13 to 17, arrested Monday for a videotaped bullying incident that made national headlines, will remain incarcerated at the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center while awaiting their Feb. 10 hearings, a judge ruled today.
Alleged Upper Darby bullies denied release, judge boots media from court
William Bender
The seven Upper Darby boys, ages 13 to 17, arrested Monday for a videotaped bullying incident that made national headlines, will remain incarcerated at the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center while awaiting their next hearing on Feb. 10, a judge ruled today.
Judge Mary Alice Brennan, who took the unusual step of denying the press and others access to an open court proceeding, ordered that the teens undergo a psychological evaluation and risk assessment, according to Public Defender David DiPasqua. The Delaware County District Attorney's Office objected to having today's hearing closed, saying that it is an open proceeding under state law.
The seven teens, who attend the Opportunity Center behind Upper Darby High School, are charged with assault, kidnapping and related offenses for the Jan. 11 bullying of 13-year-old Nadin Khoury. He was dragged on the ground and hanged in a tree and by a 7-foot-tall spiked fence post. It was videotaped on a cell phone.
Brennan, a former district judge in Upper Darby, has previously served as special counsel for the Upper Darby School District.
Today's hearing was conducted by videoconference because the teens are at the detention center in Lima. Before the news media was removed from the courtroom, a 14-year-old defendant said into the camera: "If you see my mother, can you tell her I love her?"
The boy's attorney, Geoffrey Seay, said outside the courtroom that he hopes his client will be released to his mother and grandmother after next week's hearing. He had asked that he be released today.
"I don't know that they can make out all those charges," Seay said, adding: "At this point, I've seen as much video as everybody else and all I see is blurs, so I can't say what, if anything, my client may have done."
"Certainly, it's repulsive to all of us," Seay said of the video.
Just tell that fourteen-year-old darling that his mother loves him too. Especially when he's out of her sight for so long and being cared for so lovingly by the taxpayers.
Good job Judge !! Keep the animals caged....— Nutball- They're human beings not animals that was a very rude and childish comment! — DanteG17
Comment removed.- They should be tried as adults. They all knew what they were doing and it was wrong.— Cedrick
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- And where are the parents in all this?!? This should be held civily/criminally liable for the behavior of their minor children...— kvertical
- And where are the parents in all this?!? This should be held civily/criminally liable for the behavior of their minor children...— kvertical
- This comment has been deleted.— mrjetsondc420
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- Maybe you feel like a really "Big" person to post something like this but let me just tell you that you are not! Easy to be an "Internet" bigot when you don't have to look at someone who is African-American in front of you!
- The judge was out of line barring the media. She should be replaced and face disciplinary action. The First Amendment is vital to a truly impartial legal system.— cybersport
- since they are juveniles the court cannot release their identities-- that is why there is no press. btw 1st amendment has nothing to do with this, the media reported the crime — rs1982
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