2 Sayreville Football Players Cleared Of Most Serious Charges In Hazing Scandal
SAYREVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Two players accused in a hazing scandal at Sayreville War Memorial High School in New Jersey have been cleared of all serious charges.
The players, both 17 at the time of the alleged hazing, faced multiple counts – including aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault. Those charges were dropped, but the students still face disorderly persons charges.
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, The Sayreville Bombers' 2014 season was canceled days before a total of seven players were accused of hazing and sexually assaulting four teammates inside the locker room.
Victims claimed in disturbing details have claimed they were anally violated.
Prosecutors decided not to charge the boys as adults.
In the wake of the scandal, football coach George Najjar lost his coaching job and was reassigned from his position as a gym teacher the high school to an elementary school.
Attorney Richard Klein represents one of the students who was cleared of the worst charges.
"After three-and-a-half-week trial, we showed that in fact, what he was accused of doing in the locker room back in September didn't happen," Klein said, "and quite frankly, the prosecutor -- we believe -- never should've charged my client."
Klein said his client wants to move on.
"He's somebody that wants to go on with his life and have this nightmare over," Klein said.
Former Sayreville Coach Sal Mistretta, who led the team in the early 1990s, told NJ.com he was shocked at the outcome – saying it seemed like slam dunk.