Crime Time

Cheerleaders get probation on hazing charges in deal

The Houston Chronicle is reporting Monday that five ex-members of the Morton Ranch High School varsity cheerleader squad in Katy were given probation and won't face trial on hazing charges.

The resolution was announced by Harris County District Attorney Kenneth Magidson, the paper reported.

The five agreed to the "pretrial diversion program," a form of probation. The newspaper identified them as Kelly Buffa, 17, Kirsten Davis, 17, Madison Tanner, 17, Hannah Cochran, 18, and Meigan Goff, 18.

Two other girls, a former cheerleader and a former mascot, previously had accepted the same probation terms. The seven were accused of pushing bound and blindfolded junior varsity cheerleaders into a swimming pool in July.

-- Lance Murray

Indicted cheerleaders could get jail time if convicted

The seven indicted cheerleaders of Morton Ranch High School in Katy, Texas, could get up to six months in jail if convicted of hazing, officials say.

Their attorneys say that their indictment this week was an overreaction and that their clients will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

The indictments stem from a July 25 in which junior varsity cheerleaders were picked up from their homes by varsity cheerleaders in the early morning hours for what was supposed to be a friendly predawn breakfast. But authorities say instead, the younger girls were taken to a home where they were bound, blindfolded and thrown into a swimming pool.

The parents of the junior varsity cheerleaders told the Houston Chronicle that their daughters have been harassed at school because of the case. The school has suspended all cheerleading activities.

-- Lance Murray

Grand jury indicts 7 cheerleaders on hazing charges

Anytime you mention cheerleaders and indictments in the same sentence, it's got to be interesting, right?

Well, seven former Morton Ranch High School cheerleaders have been indicted by a Harris County grand jury on charges of illegally hazing other cheerleaders.

The DA's spokesman says the misdemeanor charges allege that the girls "engaged in reckless conduct that endangered the mental and physical health and safety" of several junior varsity cheerleaders by restraining them, blindfolding them, binding their hands and pushing them into a swimming pool.

Well that's nothing to cheer about!

You can read the Houston Chronicle's report here.

-- Lance Murray