Boy who claims he was bullied gets probation, community service for striki

[bluestateguy]

I'd just like to point out that I absolutely support the right of children to fight back when they are bullied, that is PHYSICALLY ATTACKED. For paper-pushing bureaucrats to say that kids cannot defend themselves is nothing short of sheer negligence and child abuse on the part of school administrators. What kind of a lesson is that to teach to children? If you are literally being beat up you have to just sit there and take it? It's right to teach children to always try to resolve problems non-violently and to use force only as a last resort and for self-defense, but if I have children I will instruct them to defend themselves if they are ever attacked by the school bully. This story just made me angry.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/clayton/0504/05bullying.html

A Jonesboro middle schooler convicted of aggravated battery was sentenced Wednesday to serve at least 90 days on probation, pay $332 in restitution and perform 16 hours community service.

The child, 13-year-old Daryl Gray, was sentenced by Judge Leslie Gresham in Clayton County Juvenile Court for striking and seriously injuring a classmate he said was bullying him.

cut

In March, Daryl -- who hadn't been in trouble before -- fought back. Holding a pencil, he hit another boy in the face, seriously injuring him and leaving him permanently scarred.

cut

In issuing her guilty verdict against Daryl, Judge Gresham raised the question of whether a bullying victim who for the first time fights back can commit felony aggravated battery.

"Unfortunately, with the law, it is yes," she said.

Also: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/3261696/detail.html
http://zerointelligence.net/ (scroll down about 1/4 the way)

[Syrinx]

1. I saw this on tv and was outraged

A kid finally stands up to the bully, and he gets in trouble. Outrageous. Nothing short of outrageous.

[strategery blunder]

2. I've gotten beaten up hundreds of times

And it was exactly this CRAP that made me too paranoid of MORE persecution. I never fought back because I did not want to spend ten years incarcerated.

Why don't the bullies ever get charged with battery?

:argh::mad::grr::argh::mad::grr:
:argh::mad::grr::argh::mad::grr:
:argh::mad::grr::argh::mad::grr:

[seabeyond]

3. ya another ill in our society to fix

parents are so willing to give up their power and not do their job, schools cant do it all and then give a stupid no tolerance zone. i have heard kids getting picked on hit ect and they do nothing. the kids tell teacher and admin like they are suppose to and nothing is done. and then the kid fights back, and three times i have seen that kid get punished

told my boy today, came home saying, someone always is saying something mean to me. told him. get mad. get harsh and in face and tell them to knock it off. told him, you dont do anything they will keep on and on. and i have already enough come to his defense. he has to try this on his own.

so will see

but hear you, thouhg the using the pencil probably had something to do with it, and probably got such a lite sentence because of the facts that is good that was taken into account

[Dogmudgeon]

4. I hit back early

I was four years old, and a bigger boy who lived up the street used to bully me.

One fine day, I picked up a rock and smashed him in the face with it.

He survived with a big old honkin' scar and was my bestest buddy after that. I've had an aversion to fighting since then.

If it had happened in 1992 instead of 1962 (and I had been born 30 years later), knowing the way District Attorneys have gotten, I'd be doing hard time in an adult prison.

--bkl