Summary
The 'spanking case' that has garnered national attention will go on after a judge rejected motions by defense attorneys to drop harassment charges against two boys accused of spanking girls and poking at their breasts.
Story Published: Aug 13, 2007 at 1:59 PM PST
Story Updated: Aug 13, 2007 at 6:34 PM PST
Photo shows the two boys in court last week.
McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) - Two 13-year-old boys charged with sex harassment will stand trial, a judge ruled Monday.
The boys are accused of swatting the bottoms and poking or grabbing the breasts of classmates at Patton Middle School in McMinnville.
Their defenders have made an issue of the decision to prosecute Cory Mashburn and Ryan Cornelison, arguing that the matter didn't rise to the level of a criminal offense and should have been handled by school officials.
Last week, Presiding Judge John Collins dismissed misdemeanor sex abuse charges, which means the two no longer face the prospect of lifetime registration as sex offenders.
Defense lawyers hoped to have all the charges dismissed Monday and said the adverse decision was a blow.
"It's very frustrating, very intense to me" said Tracie Mashburn, mother of Cory. "It's not over. It's not done yet. There's still a hope and a chance."
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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