High School Athletes Charged In Hazing Probe
Suspect Considers Lawsuit Against School
POSTED: 11:07 pm EST February 27,
2003
UPDATED: 12:34 am EST February 28,
2003
ATTICA, Ind. -- Misdemeanor charges were filed Thursday against two Attica High School basketball players on allegations of hazing, and one of them -- claiming he was hazed in the past -- is considering a lawsuit against the school corporation.
A third student who is accused of hazing will face proceedings in juvenile court, Fountain County Prosecutor Mark McGrady said at a news conference.
McGrady said all suspects and alleged victims were associated with Attica's boys' basketball program. The alleged hazing incidents happened in the school's gym or locker room in the past four months, he said.Travis Kirby, 18, was charged with four counts of battery by body waste, three counts of battery causing bodily injury, and three counts of battery.Ryan Francis, 18, was charged with one count of intimidation and six counts of battery.Battery is a Class B misdemeanor. The other charges are Class A misdemeanors.
Both are accused of hitting players with hangars and rubbing or throwing soap in their eyes. Kirby also is accused of urinating in his hands and then throwing the urine on other players, McGrady said.An attorney for Kirby, who claims he was hazed at the school when he was younger, has announced that the student may sue the school corporation.According to a tort claim notice given to the school system, "the lack of supervision by the school corporation led to said Travis Kirby being urinated upon and physically struck on many occasions until he perceived such conduct as being part of the 'rite of passage.' "One of Kirby's grandfathers, Cliff Kirby, confronted McGrady and police at the press conference. He told RTV6's Sy Jenkins that the hazing investigation has been blown out of proportion."It's hurting the city. It's going to hurt the basketball and football program down the road," Cliff Kirby said. "It just seemed like somebody wanted to make a big story about all this." At least two of the three suspects were members of the Attica team that won the boys' Class 1A state basketball title in 2001, McGrady said.
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Both are accused of hitting players with hangars and rubbing or throwing soap in their eyes. Kirby also is accused of urinating in his hands and then throwing the urine on other players, McGrady said.An attorney for Kirby, who claims he was hazed at the school when he was younger, has announced that the student may sue the school corporation.According to a tort claim notice given to the school system, "the lack of supervision by the school corporation led to said Travis Kirby being urinated upon and physically struck on many occasions until he perceived such conduct as being part of the 'rite of passage.' "One of Kirby's grandfathers, Cliff Kirby, confronted McGrady and police at the press conference. He told RTV6's Sy Jenkins that the hazing investigation has been blown out of proportion."It's hurting the city. It's going to hurt the basketball and football program down the road," Cliff Kirby said. "It just seemed like somebody wanted to make a big story about all this." At least two of the three suspects were members of the Attica team that won the boys' Class 1A state basketball title in 2001, McGrady said. Previous Stories:
- February 7, 2003: Three High School Athletes Suspended In Hazing Probe
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