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New D.A. says no plans to drop Phoebe Prince case

Says rumors that accused may not face trial are unfounded

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 8:18 AM

Updated Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 9:35 AM

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Phoebe Prince's accused bullies: Sean Mulveyhill, Kayla Narey, Austin Renaud, Ashley Longe, Flannery Mullins and Sharon Chanon Velazquez

In March of this year District Attorney Betsy Scheibel shocked the world as she charged six teenagers for relentless bullying which led to the suicide of Irish South Hadley student, Phoebe Prince. As Scheibel prepares to step down many in Western Massachusetts wonder if their cases will ever make it to trial.

It was originally thought that one of her assistants who was involved in the six South Hadley student’s prosecutions would step into her position. However they lost the Democratic primary last month.

Hampshire Register of Probate,David Sullivan, who won the primary, is now the DA in waiting. Sullivan told Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen “I’ll take a look at this case, and I’m going to do justice.”

The law enforcement officials who worked on the Phoebe Prince case feel that because Sullivan has so much experience as a defense attorney, and not as a prosecutor, that the defense side will have a more powerful influence over him during the Phoebe Prince case.

During the pre-trial hearings last month, following Sullivan’s success in the primary, prosecutors were pushing for the trial to take place in December while the defense lawyers were looking for a delay hoping for Sullivan to take over.

It now seems that the trial will not take place until after the New Year but Dave Sullivan insists that the speculation surrounding his possible performance or involvement in the case is just that, speculation.

Speaking to the Boston Globe he said “I haven’t even been elected yet. I don’t take over until January. And I don’t know who will stay or go in the office. People are jumping to conclusions.’’ He said that first order of business when he enters office will be staffing and all of Scheibel’s staff will be invited to reapply.

He continued “Defense counsel, of course they supported me...I was a defense attorney for 16 years. I was president of the [Hampshire County] bar association. But I’m not going to take a dive on any case, for anybody.’’

He admitted that he has not even begun to review the cases which he might inherit in January but he also understands why there is so much speculation over Phoebe Prince’s case.

“That case is high profile...We’ll put a good prosecutor on it,” said Sullivan.

It is expected that the trial will take place in the beginning of 2011, a year after the 15-year-old, Phoebe Prince was driven to suicide.

The six teens, two boys and four girls, aged between 16 and 18, face a different mix of felony charges that include statutory rape, violation of civil rights with bodily injury, harassment, stalking and disturbing a school assembly.

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mairdemalone | Oct 14, 2010, 11:46 PM EDT

The parents of these bullies should also be held accountable for their children's actions. Children under 18 are their parents responsibility and so they should be penalized when their offspring breaks the law. The parents of these bullies are probable bullies themselves, and so should shoulder the responsibility and be punished too. If people have children and then fail to parent them correctly, we -the rest of society- should not have to foot the bill alone. People who have children need to be held accountable for their welfare. Too many people are ill equipped and ill prepared and even some of them too ignorant or stupid to care about the welfare of their children. It is time people paid attention to their families. Society is getting tired of carrying their weight!!!!!!

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Searlit | Oct 13, 2010, 07:06 PM EDT

@quixotic, I somewhat agree with you, except for the part about being subjective about how Phoebe Prince felt. Most reasonable people could see that the extent to which she was harassed; at school, on the way home, and on-line, with no-one at the school intervening, on her behalf, would lead to overwhelming stress. The Teachers already knew she was vulnerable. Her Mother had asked them to do something, about the bullying. Why didn't the school officials act?

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quixotic | Oct 13, 2010, 05:32 PM EDT

I am very concerned that we establish programs that protect all children from harm. However, I have a concern when public outcry seeks to influence the procedures of justice. I fear that this broadbrush approach to this case in the media will deny justice to the individuals charged as well as Phoebe. It is the kind of 'justice' that Al Sharpton insists on. I think these teenagers should be tried for what they actually did. The fact that Phoebe felt so put upon that she had to put an end to it is subjective. The others should be tried for what they did, knew and should have known. For example, Dave100 says they should get '10 years', I don't think so. What did they actually do and intend to have happen? The public outcry should not, but it will, affect the decision of the prosecutor.

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Parents | Oct 13, 2010, 09:51 AM EDT

Just the fact that this was delayed till January, one year later and after the present prosecuter who knows the case is gone - that is not justice. Why would a year for the defense not be enough time - ridiculous. The games at play and not justice. No he didn't answer the questions, all very vague. He invites her staff to apply, yes but they won't be hired. Not only is this case notorious but it will also set a marker and if it fizzles out to nothing or a slap on the wrist then it will be full steam ahead for the bullies.

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Dave100 | Oct 13, 2010, 09:14 AM EDT

I don't think the Bullying teenagers should go to prison for life, but they should get a monimum of 10 years in a teen "Boot Camp" with no chance for early release. They should be labeled "The Worst Of The Worst" where they will be beaten and whipped with a Black Snake whip at the "Whipping Post", every day and they should have constant survalence to make sure that thay don't try to commit susaide. They should be treated as mean as possible, but not take their lives.

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jamieLM | Oct 12, 2010, 06:10 PM EDT

Sullivan - actions speak louder than words. I wouldn't hold my breath that he will prosecute this case as vigorously as he should. He'd better get a "feel" for this case and soon.

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Chemteach | Oct 12, 2010, 12:29 PM EDT

We will just have to wait and see how this all plays out. The prognosis does not look good given the new DA's support base, but stranger things have happened with respect to this tragedy. He may want to dangle a half-win/half-win situation before the Defense and Procesuction wherby the defendants plead guilty to lesser charges and publicly apologize. Such a scenario would occassion some grumbling, but might ultimately work to the DA's advantage since he can claim that the costs of criminal litigation have been avoided and each party got something in return.

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Lin1945 | Oct 12, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT

Unfortunately, I see Sullivan as someone who wants to take over the job and swish, everyone out the door, bring in all Sullivan hand-picked staff. I do not have faith that there will be justice for Phoebe. Sullivan is pretty much one of the good old boys and his support was strong with defense attorneys and he wants to keep that support. All we can do is watch, wait and see. Maybe he will prove us doubters wrong. If not, we need to vote him out next time around. I just hope that he thinks about Phoebe as his daughter . . . what she endured. What was taken from her. What drove her to such a desperate act. Let there be justice and let's hope it begins with Sullivan.

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dv727dv | Oct 12, 2010, 09:28 AM EDT

A flock of nobly evasive answers. Not commenting on the case during the campaign was understandable. Additionally, it was universal--both candidates ethically refrained from doing so. However, things have changed. Sullivan WON. Barring a lightning strike, he will be the DA in 2 1/2 months. He WILL have control of the case, and every other one in the office. One of the things the citizens have the RIGHT to expect from him is that he does his job from day ONE, not a few months later, when he gets a "feel" for it. Respectfully, David, say what you mean, mean what you say, and ANSWER questions. YOU ran for this job, YOU won the election.

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