Victims' Attorney: Civil Lawsuit To Be Filed In Leechburg H.S. Hazing Case
LEECHBURG (KDKA) -- The lawyer representing two boys who say they were assaulted in a Leechburg High School hazing incident says the case is far from over.
However, the Leechburg Police Department has wrapped up its investigation into the allegations, at least for the time being.
Leechburg Police say while it appears hazing among members of the high school boys' basketball team has gone on for years, the practice does not appear to be of a the criminal nature.
Therefore, no charges will be filed at the present time. But the investigation will continue.
Timothy Schweers, the Pittsburgh attorney representing two alleged hazing victims, told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti that his clients were "disappointed that criminal charges were not being pursued [by police]."
Schweers said he will be going ahead with a civil action against the students responsible for the hazing and against the Leechburg School District for their apparent lack of policy regarding hazing.
Police said hazing at the school went back at least 10 years, but there was no evidence that clothing was removed during the incidents.
Schweers said his clients have cooperated with Leechburg Police, and are willing to testify in court about what they say took place.
A written statement released to the media by Leechburg Police said, in part: "All those involved prior to December 2015 do not wish to prosecute at this time."
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Schweers said his clients were victimized after December of last year.
The solicitor for the Leechburg School District says everyone should wait until all the facts come in, and that will happen after an independent investigation wraps up.
It is still being conducted by a law firm appointed by the school district to look into the hazing controversy.