Two teens charged with alleged assault
By: Joseph Harvie
A 14-year-old township girl has been charged with harassment after allegedly posting a video on the popular Internet video-sharing site YouTube that shows a 16-year-old girl being beaten up by a fellow student at South Brunswick High School.
South Brunswick Police spokesman Detective James Ryan said that on Dec. 11, a 16-year-old girl lured another 16-year-old girl to a secluded area of the school near a gym where she punched her repeatedly, while the 14-year-old friend recorded it with her cell-phone camera. Later that day, the 14-year-old posted the video to the video site without the knowledge of the victim.
The victim suffered minor injuries in the fight and was treated at the school, Detective Ryan said. He said that School Resource Officer Jeff Russo, who is investigating the incident, saw the videotaped beating and said that it looked "brutal."
Police contacted YouTube on Dec. 12 to have the video removed, and it was, Detective Ryan said. However, it was re-posted at least twice and had to be taken down by YouTube.
The 14-year-old was charged with harassment because she posted the video without the victim’s consent and possession of a remote video recording device, Detective Ryan said. He said she was charged with the latter because you need written permission from the school to use a cell phone during school hours, and she did not have it.
The 16-year-old suspect was charged with assault and harassment and suspended from school, Detective Ryan said. He did not know whether the 14-year-old was also suspended. School officials would not comment on disciplinary actions.
The 14-year-old and 16-year-old girls’ names were not released because of they were under 18.
South Brunswick High School Principal Tim Matheney said students are required to keep cell phones in their lockers during the school day.
"They can bring cell phones to school, but they must remain in the lockers during the school day," Mr. Matheney said. "I imagine every American high school is struggling with the issue. In general, the students are respectful of the rule. But if we catch them with their phones they are taken away for the day."

