DA withdraws citation against student who recorded bullying

MORGAN, Pa. — The Allegheny County district attorney has dropped a disorderly conduct conviction against a high school student who recorded others bullying him.

The prosecutor made the decision Wednesday and officially signed off on it Thursday after South Fayette High School student, Christian Stanfield, publicly criticized the charge.

"The withdrawal makes it like it never happened for Christian, although, he has gotten a chance now to have a podium to speak about bullying and he's certainly looking forward to the opportunity to help other kids that have been in this situation before," said Stanfield's attorney Justin Steele.

On Wednesday night at a burger restaurant in the South Hills, family and friends gathered in support of Stanfield. He thanked them for their support.

"I couldn't be happier. So many feelings at once," Stanfield said.

State lawmaker Jesse White joined the rally, telling Stanfield he wants to name a law after him. He said it would close the loophole in the wiretapping law and allow victims of bullying to record it as proof for police and school officials.

"We don't want victims of bullying to be considered a criminal," White said.

In February, township police charged Stanfield with violating the state's wiretapping law for using his iPad to record the taunts of other students.

A district judge threw out that more serious charge but convicted the 15-year-old of disorderly conduct last month. Stanfield says he was collecting evidence of the bullying and didn't realize he broke a law by not getting the bullies' permission before recording them.

The DA's office didn't approve the charge, but became involved once the citation was appealed.

The DA's office released the following statement Wednesday:

"No one in our office who is authorized to give advice on wiretap issues or school conduct issues was ever contacted in this matter.

"We have made multiple attempts to contact the officer who wrote the citation and the results have been unsuccessful.

"It is our intention to withdraw the citation on April 29th because we do not believe this behavior rises to the level of a citation."

South Fayette officials released a statement that said in part:

"The South Fayette Township School District follows its policies regarding harassment and bullying. School District officials treat any and all reports of bullying timely and seriously, and with the utmost care and sensitivity. Maintaining a safe educational environment for all students in all respects has been and will continue to be of uppermost importance to the South Fayette Township School District and its personnel.

"As this matter relates to a confidential student situation, the school district can offer no further comment at this time."

The South Fayette Township School District released the following statement:

"The South Fayette Township School District wishes to address recent reports in the local and national media concerning a student of the South Fayette Township School District. It is to be noted that certain information being disseminated by the media is inaccurate and/or incomplete. The School District is legally precluded from commenting specifically in regard to these reports as the issue involves a confidential student matter.

"The South Fayette Township School District follows its policies regarding harassment and bullying. School District officials treat any and all reports of bullying timely and seriously, and with the utmost care and sensitivity. Maintaining a safe educational environment for all students in all respects has been and will continue to be of uppermost importance to the South Fayette Township School District and its personnel.
"As this matter relates to a confidential student situation, the School District can offer no further comment at this time."