States Attorney
Fenton High School Student Charged With
Solicitation of Murder and Intimidation
WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett and Bensenville Police Chief Frank Kosman announced today that charges have been filed against a 17 year-old Fenton High School student for allegedly threatening students and faculty at the high school.
Matthew Balman, 17 (d.o.b. 1/3/1990), of 650 S. York Road, Bensenville, was charged today with Solicitation of Murder, a Class X Felony and Intimidation, a Class 3 Felony.
The charges stem from allegations that on May 8, 2007, students at Fenton High School overheard Balman tell some students not to come to school on Wednesday, May 9. Concerned, the students informed the Dean of what they had heard. An investigation by the Dean and the School Resource Officer resulted in the filing of today’s charges.
“Any time there is a threat or suspicion of possible violence at school, that threat must be taken very seriously by all of us,” commented Birkett. “I would like to commend the students who brought this matter to the attention of school officials. I would also like to thank those officials at Fenton High School for their quick action and for bringing this matter to our attention. Because of the student’s and officials’ vigilance and assistance, a potentially harmful situation has been averted. These students who came forward are heroes.”
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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