Franklin students face charges of vandalism

By Carey Phillips

Saturday night's incident was the latest in a string of vandalisms apparently sparked by the athletic rivalry between the schools.

Matt Boyer, Ben Neal and Nathaniel Boyes, all 18, and Rick Grimmett, 17, are charged with injury to real property, said Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe. They were released from custody after posting $2,000 bonds and have court dates set for March 25.

Ashe credited school resource officer Keith Webb for investigating the incident on campus. Vandalism included spray paint on six to eight doors, as well as the field house, concession stand and rest rooms at the football stadium, Principal Kenny Nicholson said. The paint included the word ³Panthers² and panther claw symbols in red, Franklin's school color.

A type of glue was used in approximately 20 locks on the campus, said Nicholson, who estimated damages at between $2,000 and $3,000.

On Feb. 6, vandals struck Franklin High and painted Smoky Mountain words and symbols in Mustang blue. The next night, vandals hit Smoky Mountain, spray painting areas in red.

The basketball teams were scheduled to play at Franklin Feb. 7, but the games were postponed to the next day due to inclement weather.

Nicholson offered a $1,000 reward after the latest incident. He credited Franklin Principal Gary Shields for his quick work in solving the case.

Nicholson, who has been principal at SM eight of the past nine years, said incidents involving vandalism apparently perpetrated by Franklin students have occurred each of those years.

Usually the incidents have coincided with basketball or football games between the schools. Saturday's vandalism was an exception, although it did come within five days of Smoky Mountain's men defeating Franklin in the Mountain Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament.

Nicholson said Shields and he are committed to stopping the incidents by students from both schools. No charges have been filed in connection with the Feb. 6-7 vandalism, but investigations are continuing, he said.

Back to Archive: 02/27/03.