East Carter juvenile case begins

Moderator: I am providing an abstract to the story:

Moderator: The news report below contradicts reports from East Carter HS authorities that a) no serious threats were ever uttered, and b) that there were 11 alleged victims, not nine. HN

Security was tight this morning around the 16th Judicial District juvenile courtroom, as proceedings get under way in an alleged hazing incident in Batesville this past summer.

The courtroom, located in the same building as the Independence County Library at Third and Main streets in Batesville, had all but one access blocked, and those entering had to pass through a metal detector and be scanned with a portable wand.

Capt. Bill Lindsey, public affairs officer at the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, told the Guard this morning that the extra security was due to reports of threats made in Ellsinore, Mo., where the students allegedly involved are from.

The six juveniles charged in the hazing were to enter a plea this morning, and Circuit Judge Stephen Choate closed proceedings to everyone except those involved in the case, Lindsey said.

The alleged hazing occurred in June while the boys were attending a basketball camp at Lyon College.

Lindsey said there were six juveniles charged and nine victims, also juveniles, reported. The coach, Benji Stahl, has since resigned his position at East Carter County High School.