4 boys charged in threats

Thursday, April 6, 2006

By ERIK SCHWARTZ
Courier-Post Staff

CAMDEN
Authorities accused a fourth boy in the alleged plot to kill some 25 people at Winslow Township High School and added more serious charges against all of the suspects.

The new defendant is a 15-year-old Hammonton High School student.

The other boys are Winslow High students -- a 15- and a 16-year-old from the Sicklerville section, and a 14-year-old from the Waterford section.

Police would not say whether other people would be charged. They said the investigation is continuing.

The new charges against the youths include consipracy to commit murder and perhaps the first accusation locally of a new state crime called "terrorism." Police also charged the boys with making terroristic threats and conspiracy to make terroristic threats.

Additionally, the 14-year-old is charged with a second count of making terroristic threats and one count of simple assault for grabbing the neck of a girl who was a fellow Winslow High student on March 15, authorities said.

The Winslow students have been suspended from school, Interim Superintendent Michael E. Schreiner said.

Superior Court Judge Angelo J. DiCamillo this morning ordered the four boys held in the Camden County Youth Detention Center in Blackwood. They must undergo psychiatric and psychological testing before a hearing April 13.