Sullivan said that comments by the superintendent "did not fully reflect on the gravity of what happened in the school." Watch video
Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan said at a press conference today that no charges will be filed against South Hadley school officials in relation to the suicide of Phoebe Prince.
Thursday's press conference marked the end of court proceedings for six students at South Hadley High School, who were accused of charges including statutory rape and criminal harassment when Prince, then a 15-year-old freshman, committed suicide after being repeatedly bullied at school in January 2010.
Sullivan, who also announced that charges against Austin Renaud would be dropped after the remaining five received plea deals, said he agreed with his predesessor, Elizabeth Scheibel, finding "no criminal conduct on the part of the school system."
"But I don't excuse their conduct," he said, adding that he did not think the administration recognized the significance of Prince's suicide.
"I think the school system has made incredible strides, but the comments that were made today by Superintendent Gus Sayer did not fully reflect on the gravity of what happened in the school," Sullivan said. "Bullying isn't just about one individual like Phoebe Prince being exposed to that type of harassment. It's every single student in the school system."