Seniors at New York High School Arrested for Fake Bomb Prank

CBS news reports 19 students from Cortlandt, N.Y., have been arrested in connection with a bomb prank. The students duct taped 20 alarm clocks to the walls of the school set to go off when classes started. The students broke into the Hendrick Hudson High school on June 10 and used a key that had been missing for a year. The prank backfired when motion detectors went off in the school summoning police and dogs trained to sniff bombs. The students claimed they were carrying out a senior prank.

According to Fox News, the students pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of planting a fake bomb in the second degree, a felony charge that carries a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted. The students are also charged with one count of criminal trespassing. Four students did not enter a plea because their attorneys were not present. Most of the students received five hours of community service for donating money to buy the clocks. The students charged in connection with the prank would still graduate but not be allowed to attend the ceremony this Friday. The trial is adjourned until next month.

"The school district should say you are innocent until proven guilty and therefore we are not going to judge you and we are not going to suspend you and we are not going to banish you from your graduation.". attorney John Sarcone stated on Fox news. I would ask they would reconsider and let these kids go to their graduation." Sarcone was angry that the school would not allow them to attend the ceremony on Friday. The attorneys on the case hoped the issue would be settled before the students enter college. Around fifty supporters of the students attended the hearing Monday.

Student Ariel Billary was on of the supporters who attended the hearing Monday She stated, "The kids worked hard for four years to graduate and the parents are waiting to see them on this day and it is just taken away from them." Sarcone also commented he learned you were innocent until proven guilty in high school and the school should abide by it. Alex Kane, who donated a dollar to the clock fund, said on CBS news, "It never crossed any one's minds that this could be taken that way.

CBS News, "Alarm Clock Prank Brings Felony Charges"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/18/national/main2942381.shtml

Fox News, "Nineteen Students Charged in Alarm Clock Bomb Prank" http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,283792,00.html