Rye teens plead not guilty in hazing case
The three teens accused of paddling eighth-graders will face more serious charges at a later date.
Videos
3 Rye students charged as adults in freshman hazing incident
Rye parents call for end to high school hazing
Rye parents: Stop the hazing
Galleries
Rye Hazing
More on this story on News 12 Westchester
Three Rye High School juniors pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in Rye City Court to misdemeanor charges stemming from allegations that they paddled two eighth-graders in a "Freshman Friday" hazing.
At the hearing, Judge Joseph Latvin issued an order of protection for the unnamed victims, prohibiting the accused from approaching them at school, in homes, downtown businesses and "listed activities."
Max Meyerson, 16; Sean Pinson, 17; and Tristan Scragg, 17, all of Rye, were charged earlier in the month with felony second-degree assault, and first-degree hazing and second-degree unlawful imprisonment, both misdemeanors.
Two alleged victims said the juniors forced them into a car on June 1, took them to the Marshlands Conservancy and beat them with paddles, bruising their buttocks and legs.
The trio has yet to be arraigned on the felony charges, which will be heard in Westchester County Court. A hearing could be scheduled in county court for all the charges if the district attorney proceeds with the assault counts. The Westchester District Attorney's office on Tuesday would not indicate how the case would proceed or when the boys would be arraigned.
"This is a case, in all honesty, that should not be tried in the press," Meyerson's lawyer, Andrew Rubin of White Plains, told the media after the hearing Tuesday.
The case was adjourned until July 24.
The students could face up to seven years in state prison if convicted as adults on the assault charges and up to a year in county jail if convicted on the misdemeanors.
The teens also will face discipline at school, according to an earlier statement by Rye City School District Superintendent Ed Shine. The district did not respond for requests for comment Tuesday.
Witnesses have told News 12 that as many as 15 victims may have been involved in last week's incident. Rye students said that the hazing is an annual rite at their school.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident as well as whether there are other cases of hazing at the high school.
The media descended upon the Rye courthouse Tuesday morning for the teens' court appearance. The trio, all crisply dressed in jackets and ties, were flanked by their parents as they arrived for the proceedings and were quickly ushered into nearby vehicles waiting afterward. The suspects declined to comment on the case.
