February 28, 2003

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough,

720-913-9025

JUVENILES CHARGED IN POISONING CASE

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. has filed formal charges against seven juveniles in connection with a poisoning incident at a Denver elementary school on January 10, 2003.

Five juveniles are charged with attempted second degree assault and conspiracy.  Two juveniles are charged with reckless endangerment.

The charges allege that the juveniles put a variety of items in a classmate’s water bottle and soda drinks in an attempt to poison her.  Their names are not being released because they are charged as juveniles. 

The next step in the process in juvenile court is a status hearing which includes the possibility of discussions about a plea arrangement or the case may be set for trial.  Most juvenile trials are “trials to the court” in which the case is heard by a judge instead of a jury.  For more information about the juvenile process, visit the Denver DA’s Web site at www.DenverDA.org and click on Juvenile Prosecution under “Prosecution Units.”

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