Former Student Charged in Infant's Death
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Lacrosse players reinstated >> PAGE 3 SEPT. 19, 2007 Vol. 81 No. 4 HOMICIDE: Former student charged in Teri Rhodes infant’s death >> PAGE 2 Lakers win three in a row >> PAGE 19 What’s Inside Police log..........3 Lakerbriefs........5 Witness recounts accident I HEART Erie......6 Get to know.......6 >> The Buzz..........11 PAGE 5 Quick hits........18 PAGE 2 NEWS Sept. 19, 2007 Ex-’Hurst student charged with homicide “We’re college students and we of a bathtub while she took a By Staff reports know not to put babies in a shower.” The Merciad plastic bag.” According to the complaint, Freshman Caitlin Burke “The defendant made no attempt Erie police fi led a general count agreed. to seek medical care and even of homicide against former “I think she deserved it because went so far as to deny to medi- Mercyhurst College sophomore she knew what she was doing,” cal personnel that she had even Teri Rhodes six weeks after she said. given birth.” an infant was found dead in Sophomore Frank Jones said The Times-News reported, her on-campus, Briggs Avenue she must serve time for her “Erie police and the District apartment. actions. Attorney’s Office spent the The Erie Times-News stated “She killed her own baby,” he fi ve weeks since the infant girl’s the general homicide charge said. “So she deserves the homi- death building a case against against the 18-year-old “…allows cide charge. She has to do time Rhodes, using records from the District Attorney’s Office for killing another person.” Rhodes’ laptop computer and to seek a wide range of convic- Junior Tom Dennstedt said he cell phone.” tions, from fi rst-degree murder, fi nds the incident shocking. Detectives also investigated or a pre-meditated killing, to “When I fi rst read the e-mail, I Rhodes’ medical records, includ- involuntary manslaughter, an wasn’t sure what was going on,” ing a physical she underwent two unintentional killing due to gross he said. “You just don’t think days before the pregnancy. Scoot Williams photo negligence.” stuff like that happens around A physician contracted by A student stands in front of 3810 Briggs Ave., the location of Rhodes is also accused of here.” Mercyhurst cleared Rhodes, who Teri Rhodes’ former apartment. concealing the death of a child, According to the criminal played on the woman’s volleyball reckless endangerment, endan- complaint, Rhodes “intention- team. Aug. 14. “As is the Mercyhurst way, gering the welfare of a child and ally, knowingly, recklessly or Erie County Coroner Lyell Mercyhurst College Media however, we will look for ways abuse of a corpse, according to negligently caused the death of Cook ruled the infant’s death a Relations Manager Deborah to learn from this distressing the criminal complaint. her newborn baby girl,” and that homicide two days after police Morton released a formal state- experience….Never can we avert She was arraigned at the offi ce the infant was asphyxiated. discovered the body in a plastic ment Tuesday. every tragedy. They are a part of of Erie 5th Ward District Judge The Times-News stated, “… bag. “The Mercyhurst College life. But we can and should learn Joseph Lefaiver. the detectives, Lt. Dan Spizarny Cook said the baby was suffo- community continues to cope from them, deal compassion- Students find the charge and Sgt. Kenneth Merchant, said cated after being alive for about with this terrible tragedy, our ately with those who are hurting appropriate. in the complaint that Rhodes hid 10 minutes. thoughts and prayers go out to and double our efforts to offer “Clearly it’s murder,” said the baby by placing it in a plastic “Her lungs had been used,” all those who have suffered as a support to those who are in sophomore Stevie Lynn Crisci. bag and leaving it on the fl oor he said at a press conference on result,” read the statement. crisis.” Mercyhurst relocates sand volleyball court weekend. said Moore. Moore also explained that the be housed. By Abigail Grasinger The new court is actually be- The court is another student establishment of the court is an It is a possibility to have them Contributing writer ing built to replace the old court centered establishment from a attempt to utilize wasted cam- available at the student union which was removed to make growing list of improvements for pus space in a way that benefi ts or possibly at the surrounding Mercyhurst College students room for last year’s senior class the Mercyhurst campus. students. building’s RA’s apartments. will soon be offered another ac- gift, the Multi-Purpose Court “The goal is to provide relaxing The aim for the college is to Security screens will be placed tivity to add to the lengthy list of between South Briggs and Lewis outlets to be utilized on campus,” utilize all unused space to make on the windows of the surround- things to do around campus. avenues. explained Moore. “It is another the campus a more pleasant en- ing buildings to prevent them The construction of the new The new court currently has way the student government is vironment for students. from breaking and the net will sand volleyball court is currently eight inches of sand and clay pushing to maintain numerous This area, they fi gured, was be taken down during winter underway and is expected to be based soil. activities for the students.” to be best used for recreational months. completed by the end of this Additional sand of a finer, “I think it’s good that the purposes. The new court is located on week. beach-type quality will be added school is continually getting The addition of the court upper Briggs and Lewis, between The project is currently consid- before the court is open for involved with its student’s lives does pose several problems. The Briggs 3937 and Lewis 3938. ered by Associate Vice President play. by creating different activities we administration overseeing the The exact opening date will of Administration Tyrone Moore “The court is being created can participate in,” said Junior construction of the court is still depend on when the netting to be “a work in progress,” but to accommodate the needs of Sarah Muhlberger, about the working out minor kinks such as poles are to be delivered and should be open for games by the students to make it easy and fun,” construction of the new court. where the actual volleyballs are to put up. PAGE 2 NEWS Sept. 19, 2007 Sept. 19, 2007 NEWS PAGE 3 Ex-’Hurst student charged with homicide Police and Safety Log “We’re college students and we of a bathtub while she took a By Staff reports know not to put babies in a shower.” Disorderly Conduct Larceny/Theft The Merciad plastic bag.” According to the complaint, West Duval West Duval Freshman Caitlin Burke “The defendant made no attempt Sept. 8 Sept. 12 Erie police fi led a general count agreed. to seek medical care and even Unfounded Unfounded of homicide against former “I think she deserved it because went so far as to deny to medi- Mercyhurst College sophomore she knew what she was doing,” cal personnel that she had even Liquor Law Violation Burglary Teri Rhodes six weeks after she said. given birth.” Baldwin Hall Family & Consumer an infant was found dead in Sophomore Frank Jones said The Times-News reported, Sept. 9 Science Center her on-campus, Briggs Avenue she must serve time for her “Erie police and the District Scoot Williams photo apartment. actions. Attorney’s Office spent the A new Cardio Theater will be installed in the Recreation Center by the end of Sept. College discipline Sept. 12 The Erie Times-News stated “She killed her own baby,” he fi ve weeks since the infant girl’s Case closed the general homicide charge said. “So she deserves the homi- death building a case against against the 18-year-old “…allows cide charge. She has to do time Rhodes, using records from Cardio Theater, Card Swipe System Criminal Mischief Controlled Substances the District Attorney’s Office for killing another person.” Rhodes’ laptop computer and Parking Lot #21 745 E. 40th St. to seek a wide range of convic- Junior Tom Dennstedt said he cell phone.” make their way to Recreation Center Sept. 9 Sept. 15 tions, from fi rst-degree murder, fi nds the incident shocking. Detectives also investigated Case closed College discipline or a pre-meditated killing, to “When I fi rst read the e-mail, I Rhodes’ medical records, includ- can be accessed by any FM radio students who do not have their By Ashley Pastor device. IDs with them. involuntary manslaughter, an wasn’t sure what was going on,” ing a physical she underwent two Contributing writer unintentional killing due to gross he said. “You just don’t think days before the pregnancy. Scoot Williams photo The gym will be signing out re- Students lacking IDs will not negligence.” stuff like that happens around A physician contracted by A student stands in front of 3810 Briggs Ave., the location of ceptors for students to use. The be granted access to the gym. Lacrosse players Rhodes is also accused of here.” Mercyhurst cleared Rhodes, who Teri Rhodes’ former apartment. It took six years, but with the receptors however will not be Students will still be allowed to concealing the death of a child, According to the criminal played on the woman’s volleyball help of the Student Govern- headsets, due to health reasons.