CHESAPEAKE – Two of the three Chesapeake Middle School students accused of inciting panic in their school are at the county’s shelter and group home pending a hearing in juvenile court.

Friday, February 01, 2002

CHESAPEAKE – Two of the three Chesapeake Middle School students accused of inciting panic in their school are at the county’s shelter and group home pending a hearing in juvenile court.

The third student, county Prosecuting Attorney J.B. Collier Jr., said is at home wearing an electronic monitor until the case comes to trial.

The students, middle school principal Granvil Brammer said, allegedly made threats against some of the school’s faculty and their fellow students.

Brammer said the three male students, all eighth-graders, made threats to harm him, and take several teachers and students hostage. He said he received a tip from a parent that led to the investigation.

Brammer said the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was contacted, at which time deputies, Sheriff Tim Sexton said, arrested all of the boys at their respective homes.

Brammer said an investigation failed to reveal any threatening letters of notes, nor did the investigation yield any weapons.

Brammer described one of the boys as being a habitual troublemaker in the school. Another boy, he said, was in some trouble last school year, and the third boy had never been in serious trouble.

"They were trying to make headlines for themselves," Brammer said, adding that no one from the school district was taking the issue lightly.

Brammer said the arrest of the three juveniles has not had a major impact on the other students or teachers.

"Students (still) feel safe…concerned, but safe," Brammer said. The students and teachers, Brammer continued, "realize we’re doing everything to keep them safe."

The trio appeared in court before Judge David Payne on Wednesday afternoon.

The group is charged with inducing panic, which, if found guilty, could lead to several types of sanctions, including placement in the state’s Department of Youth Services for an indefinite period of time between 6 months up to, and including, their 21st birthday.

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