WILSON: 2 suspects in alleged hazing are back in school; victims are not

Local News

December 1, 2008

By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Bill</a> The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Mon Dec 01, 2008, 09:51 PM EST

WILSON — Two Wilson Central School juniors who are charged with hazing boys on a baseball team bus were back in school Monday. The victims were not.

Colton J. Sherman and Christopher A. Sidote, both 17, who are accused of assaulting two junior varsity players during an April 17 bus trip back to Wilson from Niagara Falls, attended classes. Their cases have been adjourned until Dec. 9.

The order of protection was amended on Nov. 25. by Town Justice George Berger.

Bob Martin, spokesman for a concerned parent group in Wilson is keeping tabs. “The perpetrators did go. It looks like they are here to stay. The victims did not go,” he said.

Sherman and Sidote are each charged with one count of forcible touching. Sidote faces with one count each of first- and second-degree hazing, while Sherman is facing two counts of each. Geoffrey Seefeldt, 18, who has graduated, is charged with three counts of third-degree forcible touching, three counts of first-degree hazing and one count of second-degree hazing.

A number of parents from the group did meet with Superintendent Michael Wendt for about 90 minutes Monday to discuss their concerns. It was a previously arranged meeting concerning hiring a school resource officer, but there was some talk about the juniors being allowed to return to school.

Sherman and Sidote had been home-schooled.

Principal Dan Johnson, School Board President Timothy Koop, three state troopers and Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, met with superintendent.

The parents want a trained, permanent SRO in the school. However there are none available and there are is no money to fund the position. An off-duty sheriff’s deputy will be assigned to the school daily on a rotating basis, Martin said.

“They’re trying to do the best for all parties involved,” Martin said of the superintendent. “We’re working at having a full-time SRO the faculty and students feel comfortable with.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.

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