The Essex District Attorney's office branded the fire a hate crime after the boys were arrested in December. But prosecutors this week declined to charge them as adults because the charges did not meet required standards.
To charge juveniles as adults, the DA's office is required to show charges include the threat or infliction of serious bodily harm.
Trio to be tried as juveniles for temple destruction
Swampscott, MA – Three 14-year-old boys charged with destroying Temple Chabad’s property last October to intimidate temple members will be prosecuted as juveniles.
The Essex District Attorney’s office branded the fire a hate crime after the boys were arrested in December. But prosecutors this week declined to charge them as adults because the charges did not meet required standards.
To charge juveniles as adults, the DA’s office is required to show charges include the threat or infliction of serious bodily harm.
The three were charged with damaging property with intent to intimidate and willful destruction of religious property.
Two of the boys are charged with setting fire to a van belonging to the temple and the third is charged with breaking and entering.
They were arraigned on Dec. 19 and 20 in Lynn Juvenile Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The three were ordered to stay away from Temple Chabad and Rabbi Moshe Kohen.
