by TChris

Jonathan Singletary, a 16-year-old high school student, is accused of injuring a girl by throwing a piece of clay at her. He was offered a deal: admit to the misdemeanor charge and stay out of trouble, and the conviction would be kept sealed. Singletary says he didn't commit the crime and won't admit to something he didn't do, so he rejected the offer.

Prosecutors in Sutter County, California responded in typical fashion, by upping the ante: they increased the misdemeanor charge to a felony. The felony charge carries a maximum of four years in the California Youth Authority.

Since word about the Sunnyvale youth's case leaked out last month, outraged Bellarmine teachers and classmates have been rallying behind him. Many question the evidence and whether Jonathan was targeted simply because he's African-American.

Only one student claims to have seen Singletary throw something as he was walking past the classroom. The student who was with Singletary denies that Singletary threw anything. Since the victim was in a ceramics class, it seems likely that the piece of clay came from inside the classroom.

The felony charge requires proof that Singletary caused a serious injury. The injured girl had a scratched cornea and a bruise, but suffered no lasting injury. The initial decision that a misdemeanor charge was appropriate is supported by the degree of harm caused. The felony charge is either an attempt to bully Singletary into accepting the misdemeanor, or an attempt to punish him for rejecting the offer and exercising his right to a trial. Enhancing a charge for either reason is relatively common, but still an abuse of power.