Escondido school knives case

The Escondido school knives case is a collection of school suspensions, possible expulsions, and protests surrounding knives that were found in the cars of two students at San Pasqual High School in Escondido, California.

Discovery and arrests

Brandon Cappaletti, an 18-year-old student at the school, had been on a fishing trip in early January, 2016. He says he had used the knives to cut line and would have used them to prepare fish. After the fishing trip, he left the knives in his truck. Another 16-year-old student had a pocket knife in his glove compartment.[1]

On January 27, police dogs were sniffing vehicles in the school's parking lot. Each student had Advil in the truck. In each case, the dogs alerted on the Advil. Cappaletti was called out of class to unlock the truck. The police found the Advil and the knives. In the case of the 16-year-old, the alert also which led to the police finding the pocket knife.[1]

Both boys were arrested. Cappaletti was later released to his mother. The 16-year-old's case was referred to the California's juvenile diversion program. Both boys have been charged with a misdemeanor for having a knife on school property with a blade longer than two-and-a-half inches. Both were also immediately suspended from classes.[1] A hearing on Feb. 25 will decide whether or not they will be expelled.

Impact and protests

Cappaletti has already joined the U.S. Marines Corps. If convicted of the misdemeanor, he might not be able to remain. His mother Amy Cappelletti said that “He’s the most patriotic student. He never gets into trouble. These weren’t Crocodile Dundee knives.”[2] At a School Board meeting on February 9, 2016, hundreds of people asked the Board not to expel the two students. Tony Coreley, the high school's football coach said that “There are rules and laws that the district has to follow, but this (situation) is unfortunate.”[2]

School District spokeswoman Karyl O’Brien said that the situation was unfortunate, but under California's zero-tolerance policy, there were rules the school had to follow.

Resolution

On February 11, 2016, the Superintendent of the Escondido Union School District stated that the students would not be expelled, and that they were expected to be allowed to return to school the following week.[3] As of February 13, the misdemeanor charges remain unresolved.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Soave, Robby. "Zero Tolerance: 2 Teens Face Expulsion, Jail for Fishing Knives, Advil in Their Cars".
  2. 1 2 Miao, Pat (9 February 2016). "Forgotten knives meet zero tolerance". San Diego Union Tribune.
  3. ↑ Garske, Monica. "San Pasqual High School Students Found With Knives Will Not be Expelled".
  4. ↑ "No expulsion, students still face misdemeanors". NBC San Diego. 13 February 2015.
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