« Stage Collapse - Legal ramifications of state fair stage collapse | Main | Ind. Courts - "Lawmakers to debate illegal entry controversy" »
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Ind. Courts - Updated story on: "Prank gone awry could land teen in prison"
The Indianapolis Star has an updated version this morning of Jon Murray's story, first posted last evening. Some quotes:
The Rush County prosecutor agreed to withhold prosecution of the 18-year-old's case in exchange for eight hours of community service. Under a diversion agreement filed in court Thursday, Morton agreed to perform the work for Rush County Schools and stay out of trouble for a year.The upshot: Morton, who had no criminal history, keeps his clean record.
And Prosecutor Philip J. Caviness avoids an outright dismissal on the criminal case -- one that legal experts and Morton sympathizers had portrayed as an overreach by authorities.
"It's a creative way to resolve a charge that never should have been filed," said Joel Schumm, a professor at the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. "The ultimate outcome is a fair one, but he can't get back the days he spent in jail." * * *
Tyell Morton put off plans to enroll in Ivy Tech Community College and lost out on scholarships while his case was pending, his aunt said. He may delay college further to work and pay off his lawyer's bill.
The high school gave Morton his diploma, but his arrest kept him from attending graduation.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 23, 2011 10:12 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts