Decades ago, the social structure of schools lent itself to one group of kids picking on another. That was considered normal and was accepted even if it was wrong. A rash of children finding themselves facing felony charges for finally retaliating against a bully has made people realize that the hierarchy in schools around the country and here in Ohio is unacceptable. In recent years, this type of behavior has finally been called what it is — bullying.
The family, friends and supporters of a 16-year-old girl charged with murder recently walked through the girl’s neighborhood to support her and draw attention to bullying. The teen is accused of murdering a 17-year-old who also attended her high school. The girl was stabbed to death.
Details regarding the incident are sketchy, but it appears that the two girls were involved in an altercation that became violent. The teen’s mother says that she is not a violent girl and must have been defending herself. The source insinuates that the girl’s mother believes she would never have become violent unless she felt she had no choice.
Ultimately, it will be up to the court to determine whether the girl was bullied and defending herself or not. Her family is currently preparing her defense to the felony charges with which she is faced. It will be up to Ohio prosecutors to convince the court beyond a reasonable doubt that this was murder and not a case of bullying that turned into a girl doing what she had to do to defend her life.
Source: 10tv.com, “Family Of Teen Murder Suspect Holds Bullying March“, , May 30, 2014