DA: Grand Jury Had Enough To Charge Boy With Rape In Bullying Case
BOSTON (AP) - Prosecutors in the South Hadley case of a teen charged with statutory rape in connection with the suicide of a 15-year-old girl who was bullied have acknowledged the girl's birthdate wasn't given to a grand jury that indicted the boy.
Prosecutors said Friday the only reference to Phoebe Prince's age came from her mother, who referred to her as 15 shortly after her death. Prosecutors said that was enough for grand jurors to conclude Prince was underage.
Austin Renaud's lawyer, however, said he'll ask a judge to dismiss the charge because the jury was left to "speculate" about how old Phoebe was when the pair allegedly had sexual contact.
Prosecutors say Prince was bullied by Renaud's ex-girlfriend and four others charged in the case. Renaud is not accused of bullying.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
