South Hadley,MA Phoebe Prince 15 kills self over bullying

[JBean]

I am just glad there is uproar and general outrage about the behavior of these young people. because if we become so desensitized to this criminal behavior it will be a sad day for future generations. We cannot explain it away or make excuses. It needs to be dealt with and at this level it has to include the law, because it has gone too far.

 

[Paladine]

"Charges not enough for some Hadley parents"

"The investigation revealed relentless activity toward Phoebe designed to humiliate her and make it impossible for her to remain at school," said the district attorney.

Three juveniles have also been charged with delinquency complaints - including one girl who's accused of assault and battery on a 17-year-old South Hadley student who spoke out against the bullying.
The alleged victim's father says he's pleased with the charges because he believes the school did not do enough to protect his daughter and other students.
Mitch Brouillard said, "They went to school everyday knowing that some of these bullies are still in school, some of the perpetrators are still there."

The DA confirmed at least three of the students charged *are* still in school.

http://www.necn.com/pages/landing?Charges-not-enough-for-some-South-Hadley=1&blockID=206616&feedID=

 

[Paladine]

I am just glad there is uproar and general outrage about the behavior of these young people. because if we become so desensitized to this criminal behavior it will be a sad day for future generations. We cannot explain it away or make excuses. It needs to be dealt with and at this level it has to include the law, because it has gone too far.

Yes, JBean. Such wise words.

When I hear people say, "oh...that's just school"..."that's just kids", I think, NO! It's not my kids. My kids are raised to be caring, thoughtful people. My kids have never bullied. I have never received one complaint. Although...they have been on the receiving end of it, as most sensitive non-combative kids are, imo. That's why they are picked on, imo. They don't pick on the tough guy. And it makes me angry. I did my job as a parent. I raised thoughtful, sensitive, children. As many do. I want them to be safe physically and emotionally, at school. If they can't keep them safe, close the school.

I want more parents to step up. I want "bullying" not to be the norm. I want it to be called assault and harassment. And I want schools required to report it to police. I want our kids to feel as important as adults. To have a right to be safe, to feel safe.

Okay...rant over. sorry 'bout that...it's all your fault, JBean...you inspired me.

 

[Paladine]

IMO, a thought...if anyone has any doubt about how devastating emotional abuse can be, which is how I view this harassment, they should ask a battered woman...I've worked with some in a professional capacity, and a long time ago, I was one. We women know how much words can hurt. How deep being told you're worthless, and less than worthless, can wound...imagine that in a child who has not developed a true sense of self, yet. You believe it.

 

[raeann]

Isn't it only from the prosecution's point of view, since defense isn't there and doesn't present evidence.

Grand juries are made up of intelligent, hard working, honest citizens with absolutely NO MOTIVATION to proceed with charges that are not supported by actual evidence that is presented to them. The prosecutor does not just stand up and say "I WANT this person to be charged"!!! They present evidence and witness statements, and other FACTS to be evaluated by those on the jury.

FWIW....no grand jury in the entire history of the USA has EVER indicted a ham sandwich or any other inanimate object.


jmoo

 

[Muffet]

Thanks BeenaBobba. There are quite a few posts there following the one you mention. Most others seem to be similar to the views here. I'm not sure what the relative thinks will be revealed about Phoebe that will change anyone's opinion about her being brutalized and bullied to her death (and possibly bullied after her death). JMO.

Have any of the accused shown one ounce of remorse about the situation? (If they have, I haven't read about it.) JMO.

[my bold]
I haven't seen it either. If I were one of those girls or people who stood by, I'd be on my knees apologizing. I'm sure most of us here would.

But yeah, all I've seen is whining and blaming of the victim for being "weak." :no:

It just further proves that these kids, their parents, the school admin, and too many other people in this country still don't get it. ...Or they or their kids were bullies or enablers, and they don't want to face or be held accountable for their own guilt...

 

[Muffet]

FWIW....someone posted that at the time SM was 18 and Phoebe was just 14, I do not have the birth dates memorized, but I am sure others have these at hand. Also, NO ONE here knows that the evidence police have does not point to there being NON-Consensual attacks on this girl. LE has that evidence. They also have security tapes that supposedly show the physical assaults of punching, tripping, and slamming of her head into lockers. These charges were not brought because of name calling! They were brought due to threats of violence that were sent by text and e-mail. THAT is prosecutable even if no one dies as a result.

jmoo

I posted her birthdate, after hearing that she was 14 when the sex took place. She turned 15 in November.

I'm not sure about the one boy, but Sean is 17, and I think he's a senior.

I strongly support Romeo and Juliet laws, but even they usually only allow a 3 year age difference. In this case, a 16 or 17 year old senior, captain of the football team, who has a reputation for being a "player" had sex with a 14 year old freshman, new to the school ad country.

I see an unacceptable power play there, especially considering his treatment of her afterward.

 

[Paladine]

A student is quoted in this piece. I won't post the name. But I wonder if she might be a friend of the bullies. I've seen the name before, can't recall where...anybody know?
http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/bullying-like-this-can-t-be-ignored-1.2210764

ETA: please ignore this post...I misread...

 

[BeenaBobba]

I haven't seen it either. If I were one of those girls or people who stood by, I'd be on my knees apologizing. I'm sure most of us here would.

But yeah, all I've seen is whining and blaming of the victim for being "weak." :no:

We've all heard rumors that some of the accused wrote nasty comments on Phoebe's memorial page, but that has yet to be confirmed as of right now. Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. As I've mentioned, I've seen a Facebook comment from Austin Renaud's sister saying he LAUGHED when he found out she'd taken her own life!

 

[Paladine]

In addition, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine, in a new review of studies from 13 countries, found signs of an apparent connection between bullying, being bullied and suicide.

"The incidence of bullying is getting more and more frequent and takes lots of forms," said Herbert Nieberg, associate professor of criminal justice at Mitchell College in Connecticut and a psychologist who specializes in adolescents.

And when the bullying moves to the Internet, the trauma to the victim is "astronomically" escalated, according to Nieberg.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cyber-...-teen-irish-immigrant/story?id=9660938&page=2

 

[jjenny]

A student is quoted in this piece. I won't post the name. But I wonder if she might be a friend of the bullies. I've seen the name before, can't recall where...anybody know?
http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/bullying-like-this-can-t-be-ignored-1.2210764

I don't see any names in the article.

 

[Paladine]

We've all heard rumors that some of the accused wrote nasty comments on Phoebe's memorial page, but that has yet to be confirmed as of right now. Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. As I've mentioned, I've seen a Facebook comment from Austin Renaud's sister saying he LAUGHED when he found out she'd taken her own life!

True. Not confirmed. But I've got a link with some interesting gossip about it if anyone cares to look...though, you've likely seen it, BeenaBobba...thought I'd post it for others...
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/phoebe-prince-facebook-bullying-behind-teens-suicide-2563997.html

 

[Muffet]

We've all heard rumors that some of the accused wrote nasty comments on Phoebe's memorial page, but that has yet to be confirmed as of right now. Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. As I've mentioned, I've seen a Facebook comment from Austin Renaud's sister saying he LAUGHED when he found out she'd taken her own life!

:no: Nor would I. And if it's true that one or more of the girls wrote "mission accomplished," they'll be cooked. Well done. :whistle:

 

[Paladine]

I don't see any names in the article.

3rd paragraph from the bottom. E.B....

ETA: mystery solved please ignore post...

 

[Paladine]

3rd paragraph from the bottom. E.B....

Never mind...lol...I know where I saw it. It's the Slate reporter! I misread...sorry, folks...lol...it's there, though but not a student, the one who interviewed them. I recalled the name because I have her as a friend on twitter and re-tweeted that librarians tweet to her. Lol...let's blame age.

 

[Muffet]

I posted her birthdate, after hearing that she was 14 when the sex took place. She turned 15 in November.

I'm not sure about the one boy, but Sean is 17, and I think he's a senior.

I strongly support Romeo and Juliet laws, but even they usually only allow a 3 year age difference. In this case, a 16 or 17 year old senior, captain of the football team, who has a reputation for being a "player" had sex with a 14 year old freshman, new to the school ad country.

I see an unacceptable power play there, especially considering his treatment of her afterward.

Quoting myself to answer my own questions.

Sean is in fact a senior, and the other boy is 18.

The ages are on one of the links Paladine posted:
Sean Mulveyhill, 17;
Kayla Narey, 17;
Austin Renaud, 18;
Ashley Longe, 16;
Flannery Mullins, 16;
Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16.

http://scarlett-journey.net/2010/03/30/phoebe-prince-death/comment-page-1/#comments

 

[Paladine]

I wonder about this comment...any way to see if that school has a higher suicide rate?

"djkrystal (not verified)
at 12:41 on January 28th, 2010

i disagree with you. typically in this town (south hadley ma) they tend to cover things up. ."

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/ph...ying-behind-teens-suicide-2563997.html?page=1

 

[BeenaBobba]

I've posted my thoughts at some length here.

http://stmarysmead.wordpress.com/

I've read your latest blog entry. I'd seen some comments from one of the accused's alleged relatives on another blog, and what I saw was pretty bad, but I hadn't known about his most recent gem until now. I am in utter shock that he referred to Phoebe as a "chippy [who] flew the coop." That is so beyond disrespectful that I am at a near loss for words. I can see how a family member might dispute the charges, but to blatantly insult a fifteen-year-old child who's no longer here to defend herself? Absolutely beyond the pale!

Not only that, but look at how Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines chippy:

Main Entry: chip·pie
Variant(s): also chip·py \ˈchi-pē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural chippies
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1886
: tramp, prostitute

What a class act, huh? If I were a defense attorney representing his relative, I would advise him -- and quite severely, too! -- to shut his trap. He's probably trying to defend his relative, but a lot of people will look at his comments and think, "Wow, I can see where the bullying behavior comes from! Look at her despicable family!" I'm sure that's not the image he wants to project, so he should just quit while he's ahead.

 

[Paladine]

One more comment...again, taken with a grain of salt. Texts will be a big part of this case....

"missing you (not verified)
at 13:43 on March 30th, 2010

im from dublin ireland aswell i totally agree with the person who left the comment above me phoebe was one of my best friends she didnt go to ameri

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/ph...ying-behind-teens-suicide-2563997.html?page=5

 

[Paladine]

I've read your latest blog entry. I'd seen some comments from one of the accused's alleged relatives on another blog, and what I saw was pretty bad, but I hadn't known about his most recent gem until now. I am in utter shock that he referred to Phoebe as a "chippy [who] flew the coop." That is so beyond disrespectful that I am at a near loss for words. I can see how a family member might dispute the charges, but to blatantly insult a fifteen-year-old child who's no longer here to defend herself? Absolutely beyond the pale!

Not only that, but look at how Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines chippy:



What a class act, huh? If I were a defense attorney representing his relative, I would advise him -- and quite severely, too! -- to shut his trap. He's probably trying to defend his relative, but a lot of people will look at his comments and think, "Wow, I can see where the bullying behavior comes from! Look at her despicable family!" I'm sure that's not the image he wants to project, so he should just quit while he's ahead.

Disgusting. Good research, Benna...wow. To me, 'they' seem intent of trashing her character. And sexually abusive terms for a 15 year old child. There should be a law.