A ripple of tension traveled through the room. Naomi sat in the front row beside Ila, hands clasped. Officers Ramirez and Colt stood behind them. Harlon Pierce sat several rows back, his expression contorted between fury and disbelief. Porter took a breath.
We now deliver our verdict. The room froze. A pin drop could have echoed. She lifted the first document on the matter of student Blake Pierce. Effective immediately, Blake Pierce is suspended indefinitely from Riverwood High and barred from all district property.
Murmurss exploded. Cameras zoomed in. Furthermore, due to the severity of the assault, the evidence of premeditation, tampering, and hate motivated conduct, the board is transferring all documentation and footage to the juvenile court system for criminal review. The auditorium gasped as if air had been sucked out of lungs all at once. Blake's face drained of all color.
His hand tightened on the armrest until his knuckles turned white. Harlon shot up from his seat. This is outrageous. You can't criminalize a child. My son did nothing wrong.
Police immediately moved to restrain him. Sir, you need to stay seated. Harlon fought against them. I'll sue every single one of you. You hear me?
I'll sit down, Mr. Pierce. Officer Ramirez barked. Harlon finally collapsed into his chair, shaking with rage. Porter continued, undeterred. On the matter of Mason Carter, Seth Rogers, and Connor Hail, all three students are hereby suspended for the remainder of the academic year with mandatory rehabilitation programs and restorative justice training required before reenrollment is considered.
Mason broke into quiet sobs. Connor covered his face. Seth stared at nothing. Hollow. Porter lifted the third document.
On the matter of vice principal, Leonard Miller gasps washed across the room. Leonard Miller is hereby terminated effective immediately for gross negligence, obstruction of safety protocol, and dereliction of duty. Miller's head dropped into his hands. His wife in the audience began crying softly. Cameras captured everything.
Porter's voice hardened. The board will also recommend that Mr. Miller be investigated for potential criminal conduct related to the disabling of school surveillance systems. The room erupted in outrage, shock, and disbelief. Students whispered fiercely. I knew it.
He covered for Blake for years. They finally caught him. Porter held up her hand for silence. On the matter of teacher Robert Ellison. Mister Ellison is placed on administrative leave without pay, pending a full criminal investigation for aiding in the obstruction of safety systems and failing to intervene during a violent assault.
Ellison slumped backward as if struck. Lawyers murmured. Reporters scribbled furiously. Students gasped again. The auditorium had become a furnace of tension.
Harlon attempted to rise once more. You're destroying my family. You're destroying my sen. Officer Colt pressed a firm hand to his shoulder. Sir, I'm warning you.
But Harlon wasn't listening. He lurched forward. This is all because of her. He screamed, pointing wildly at Naomi. She manipulated you all.