HTN: Charges Dropped Against Wilson Coaches

Child Endangerment charges have been dropped against two Wilson High School baseball coaches. Prosecutors abruptly asked for the case to be dismissed against William Atlas and Thomas Baia for their alleged roles in a hazing incident on April 17th of last year. The District Attorney's office did not give a reason why the charges were dropped. The move came on the day when a jury was to have been selected. The two coaches had been on paid suspension. Now their lawyers say the school board should reconsider their status based on this new information.

Hometown News: Wilson Hazing Case Leads to Trooper Probe

The State Police are conducting an internal investigation involving personnel assigned to investigate the Wilson High hazing case. Students Colton Sherman and Christopher Sidote were charged with misdemeanor hazing and forcible touching. A third student, 18-year-old Geoffrey A. Seefeldt, was charged with three counts of third-degree forcible touching, a misdemeanor. The internal investigation has to do with possible improper police action

HTN: Wilson Judge Dismisses Some Hazing Charges

Wilson Town Justice George Berger dismissed some of the charges against two of the tree youths involved in last year's baseball team hazing. The three defendants will be back in court March 10th to face the remaining charges. Trial dates have not been set pending potential plea bargains.

Wilson Woman Missing

An 83-year-old woman from the Town of Wilson is missing. Police say Lucille Schurr last spoke with family members on Wednesday night. Her daughter went to her house Thursday afternoon, and was unable to locate her. Ms Schurr is partially deaf, partially blind and suffers from dementia. She is 5' tall, and weighs about 140lbs. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts, they're asked to contact Niagara County Sheriff's at: 716-438-3393.

Wilson Charges may be Reduced

Attorneys for two of the Wilson High School students facing charges in for alleged hazing incident aboard their baseball team bus, expect those charges to be reduced. Lawyers for the two 16-year-old boys believe there may not be enough evidence to sustain the most serious charges against their clients.

Wilson High Meeting on Hazing Tonight

Wilson High School is getting ready for the new school year, and will hold its annual meeting tonight. The main topic is expected to be that hazing incident last spring that left three baseball players in court and two coaches suspended. The incident was the subject of a documentary on ESPN over the weekend, and the accused players are scheduled to appear in court this Thursday.

Another Tragedy in Town of Wilson

The small town of Wilson has had some large heartaches to deal with over the past few months. The latest happened this weekend in a murder-suicide involving two teens. Eighteen-year-old Kari Gorman and 19-year-old Shawn Wolf graduated from Wilson High in June, and had been dating for about eight months. On Saturday Wolf shot and killed Gorman before taking his own life. The Wilson School District had counselors available over the weekend, and will hold a town meeting next Monday to further discuss the tragedy. It comes in the wake of the death of honor student Tim Kelahan in a February car crash, and an alleged hazing incident on a Wilson High boy's baseball bus this spring.

Another Alleged Hazing in Wilson

Another case of hazing has been reported out of Wilson High School. Older players allegedly abused a teammate during a bus ride to an away game. After parents complained, one of the coaches started riding in the back of the bus to supervise conduct. However, that policy was no longer being enforced at the time of last month's hazing incident.

Public Meeting on Wilson Hazing

Hundreds of students and parents gathered at a public meeting last night to discuss the Wilson High hazing case. Two baseball coaches and three students were arrested earlier this week. Police and school administrators did not share any new information, but about 50 attendees spoke out, many on behalf of the coaches. Others talked about a need to change school policies.

Wilson High Meeting Tonight

Wilson High parents gather tonight to get an update on the case of alleged hazing in the district. J.V. coach William Atlas and varsity coach Thomas Baia are charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and three students were also arrested.

Coaches Charged in Wilson

More charges in the Wilson High Hazing case. Two baseball coaches face charges of endangering the welfare of a child, for allegedly not stepping in to prevent the incident. Varsity coach Thomas Baia and JV coach William Atlas had been suspended from coaching, and are now barred from teaching as well. The misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of a year in jail. The two coaches are due back in court a week from Thursday.

Statements on Wilson Hazing Case

State Police Major Christopher Cummings and Wilson School Superintendent Dr. Michael Wendt held a news conference to talk about the sex abuse charges stemming from an April 17th incident aboard a school bus bringing baseball players back to Wilson. Three students have been arrested for allegedly attacking younger members of the team in the back of the bus. State Police Lieutenant Rick Allen spoke with Donahue and Moore this morning on WECK. The two coaches on board have been suspended and the two or three other adults who were present are being questioned by police. The superintendent praised the students who came forward and reported the attack. Major Cummings is concerned that this type of hazing may have gone on in other years and wants to hear from anyone with any additional information. Cummings says he's never seen anything like this in his entire career. The three students are not being identified at this point in case they receive youthful offender status.

Hazing at Wilson High

Officials at the Wilson Central School District held a news conference in Lockport this afternoon to give further details on a hazing incident involving three high school baseball players who were arrested Friday night. The three allegedly hazed younger students on the team bus. They have been charged with aggravated sexual assault and the baseball season has been suspended.