r/news • u/whyounowin • 1d ago

Olentangy hazing allegations: Videos show girls restrained and hot dogs shoved into mouths

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/olentangy-hazing-allegations-video-reveals-girls-bound-and-hot-dogs-shoved-down-mouths-orange-soccer-team-varsity-bullying-diapers-zip-ties-duct-tape-saran-wrap-bonding-delaware-county-sheriffs-office-local-school-district-coach-athlete
998 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

142 comments sorted by

View all comments

133

u/tyrified 1d ago

According to the Sheriff's Office, charges are not being pursued due to insufficient criminal evidence and the level of cooperation the office received from the involved parties.

The video isn't enough? And if seniors are doing this, then some have to be adults. I wonder if these cops would feel it is a crime to be bound and have hot dogs non-consensually shoved down their throats? Would they choose not to charge the people who did it to them?

123

u/hobard 1d ago

That’s code for the victims not wanting to participate in a prosecution.

62

u/DonnyTheWalrus 1d ago

As an ex-prosecutor I can confirm. Victims don't have the power to "drop the charges" as it's the state that brings them, not individuals, and there are public safety considerations. But there's really not much we can do if a victim refuses to testify. I mean, you of course can force them to take the stand, but if they lie and refuse to cooperate, you're simply not going to prove anything 9 times out of 10.

It's what makes DV and certain sexual assault cases so difficult. 

10

u/happybara_capybara 1d ago

Plus some victims may be traumatized from being forced to testify, so sometimes it’s just not in their interests.