"6 College Seniors Arrested & Expelled for calling 911"
Not unlike the movie "The Perfect Storm," cosmic forces came together on October 28th, 2005 to cause an event of equally devastating proportions to six students of Quinnipiac University which would result in the ultimate arrest, humiliation, betrayal and finally expulsion from school.
When Steven Scalora sat down to write an email about a Halloween party, he had no idea how the posting of that message would dramatically change the course of lives to six students, five of whom he had absolutely never even met and one of whom he only knew slightly from being on his rugby team. Unaware of any mass e-mail, the six unwitting senior students, who are all 21 and reside at 3211 Whitney Avenue, were preparing for a Halloween party, a considerably different party than the one advertised.
The Quinnipiac shuttle bus was dropping over 100 students off at their corner. Why they wondered? That was not a scheduled stop. Who were all these kids milling about outside and coming in uninvited. The six boys quickly assessed the situation and realized there were too many unknown students in the house. Maturely and responsibly they concluded a fight might ensue if they took it upon themselves to try and remove everyone. A prompt clear thinking decision was made. They decided to call the police for assistance. The first 911 call was then made. When 20 minutes went by and no police presence had still be seen, and more students kept appearing, the boys then made the second 911 call.
When they initially saw 30 task force police officers in riot gear and K9 unite storming their home they assumed, of course incorrectly, that they were there due to their two 911 calls. As they approached the officers to introduce themselves and thank them for helping they were told to put their hands behind their back, immediately handcuffed and told not to say a word. As all the witnesses, including the police, have stated the boys were at all times respectful and courteous. Unfortunately, they were also shocked and astounded. Why were they handcuffed? Why were the police destroying their home? Kicking open locked doors? Emptying drawers? Throwing their clothes all over? Ripping out air conditioner vents from the walls? Discharging the contents of all their cereal, rice, and other food all over the floor? What was going on? The police confiscated their two 1/2 kegs of beer that were at the bottom of the stairs... They still didn't understand why they were destroying the house. The boys had no information on the e-mail the police were acting on until they read it in the New Haven Register. The paper of course, omitted the name of the person who sent the e-mail and does not even attend the school. They also learned from the paper they were officially expelled from the school. When they called Quinnipiac they only facts they had were what was in the paper. The paper did not have the facts, all it had was a misrepresentation of charges which defamed and damaged the boys reputation. The school not gathering facts first immediately expelled the six students.
Did anyone ever take the time to investigate what really happened? Certainly, but after their arrest and expulsion.
For these six boys, this entire tragedy has been their own version of the Perfect Storm.
Not unlike the movie "The Perfect Storm," cosmic forces came together on October 28th, 2005 to cause an event of equally devastating proportions to six students of Quinnipiac University which would result in the ultimate arrest, humiliation, betrayal and finally expulsion from school.
When Steven Scalora sat down to write an email about a Halloween party, he had no idea how the posting of that message would dramatically change the course of lives to six students, five of whom he had absolutely never even met and one of whom he only knew slightly from being on his rugby team. Unaware of any mass e-mail, the six unwitting senior students, who are all 21 and reside at 3211 Whitney Avenue, were preparing for a Halloween party, a considerably different party than the one advertised.
The Quinnipiac shuttle bus was dropping over 100 students off at their corner. Why they wondered? That was not a scheduled stop. Who were all these kids milling about outside and coming in uninvited. The six boys quickly assessed the situation and realized there were too many unknown students in the house. Maturely and responsibly they concluded a fight might ensue if they took it upon themselves to try and remove everyone. A prompt clear thinking decision was made. They decided to call the police for assistance. The first 911 call was then made. When 20 minutes went by and no police presence had still be seen, and more students kept appearing, the boys then made the second 911 call.
When they initially saw 30 task force police officers in riot gear and K9 unite storming their home they assumed, of course incorrectly, that they were there due to their two 911 calls. As they approached the officers to introduce themselves and thank them for helping they were told to put their hands behind their back, immediately handcuffed and told not to say a word. As all the witnesses, including the police, have stated the boys were at all times respectful and courteous. Unfortunately, they were also shocked and astounded. Why were they handcuffed? Why were the police destroying their home? Kicking open locked doors? Emptying drawers? Throwing their clothes all over? Ripping out air conditioner vents from the walls? Discharging the contents of all their cereal, rice, and other food all over the floor? What was going on? The police confiscated their two 1/2 kegs of beer that were at the bottom of the stairs... They still didn't understand why they were destroying the house. The boys had no information on the e-mail the police were acting on until they read it in the New Haven Register. The paper of course, omitted the name of the person who sent the e-mail and does not even attend the school. They also learned from the paper they were officially expelled from the school. When they called Quinnipiac they only facts they had were what was in the paper. The paper did not have the facts, all it had was a misrepresentation of charges which defamed and damaged the boys reputation. The school not gathering facts first immediately expelled the six students.
Did anyone ever take the time to investigate what really happened? Certainly, but after their arrest and expulsion.
For these six boys, this entire tragedy has been their own version of the Perfect Storm.
posted by The6OfThem at 6:45 PM
