QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — All five teens involved in an altercation with Quakertown police during an anti-ICE protest last month appeared in court on Friday, where two felony charges were dropped, and all five were taken off house arrest, according to attorneys.
Lawyers representing the teens said the legal process has been traumatizing for their clients and that they want to move forward. Four of the teens are expected to return to court next month.
“The DA’s office withdrew the felony charges, which is fantastic,” said Don Souders, an attorney for one of the teens.
Souders said his client accepted an offer that resulted in the felony charges being dropped. Under the terms of the offer, the teen must complete community service and counseling for the next six months, after which the remaining charges are likely to be expunged.
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The five teens were involved in an altercation with Quakertown police during what was described as a student walkout against ICE that escalated into a violent clash between protesters and police. The incident included an encounter involving Police Chief Scott McElree, who was seen in video footage placing a girl in a headlock.
Four of the teens had their cases continued during Friday’s court proceedings.
“This is a self-defense case because unidentified individuals without barkings, without badges, without reflective vests. It’s difficult for anybody to know who that was,” said attorney Tim Pendergast.
Other attorneys representing the teens expressed similar concerns about how their clients were treated.
“I feel these children are being persecuted; they are being taught to keep their mouths shut, you don’t have a right to speak,” said attorney Ed Angelo.
Attorneys cited the volume of evidence involved as a factor in the court’s decision to continue four of the cases.
Chief McElree remains on leave while the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office conducts an independent review of the police response. However, attorneys said the chief is expected to meet with the teens as part of a possible restorative justice process.
Souders said prosecutors offered the remaining defendants an opportunity to participate in a restorative justice component that could include a meeting with the chief, counselors and probation officials.
“The DA offered to give other defendants the opportunity of being involved in a restorative justice component… where there would be an opportunity to meet with the chief, I’d assume some counselors, and probation to kind of air out what happened,” Souders said. “It would be my hope that the process the chief would take the high road and offer these kids an apology.”
According to the attorney, the meeting is expected to happen, though the timing has not yet been determined.
Four of the teens are scheduled to return to court in mid-April.
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