Teen gets three years’ probation in racial attack
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, December 14, 2007.
By AMIRA SEYOUM
Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER – A 15-year-old former Knight High School student pleaded no contest in return for three years’ probation in connection with a September 2006 attack by a group of black youths on two Latino teenagers walking home from the school.
Mark Broussard III, who was being prosecuted as an adult on hate crime allegations and felony assault charges, was offered three years’ felony probation at Thursday’s preliminary hearing if he pleaded guilty. He pleaded no contest, which is equivalent to a guilty plea in criminal court but cannot be used against him in a civil case.
Broussard was ordered to stay away from the two victims, who watched the proceedings in a Lancaster courtroom. He is expected to be ordered to pay restitution to the victims and to the state, but the amount hasn’t been established, officials said.
Judge Christopher Estes explained to Broussard that if he violates the terms of probation before the sentencing hearing Jan. 11 the agreement will be thrown out.