No Jail Time For Girls Who Lied About Racially Motivated Bus Attack
It was all over the news channels when first reported that an alleged racially motivated fight broke out on a CDTA bus involving a couple U Albany students.
It took place at the end of January 2016 and quickly spiraled, seemingly out of control. Two women, Asha Burwell and Ariel Agudio, now 21 and former students of the college, went to the police and reported the attack which was eventually determined to be false.
In the original presentencing report, it was stated that possible jail time could be a factor for each of the alleged liars. However, the judge didn't seem to believe that would do anyone any good.
Judge McDonough stated in court: ""The real victims are the individuals who are truly attacked in the future because of their race, who report it and are not believed because of your false claim."
The women were sentenced to 200 hours of community service and 3-years probation.
Assistant District Attorney David Rossi believes that if either of the girls stated they were sorry for their actions, they could have gotten a lesser sentence, but neither did so.