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A 14-year-old white boy accused of trying to drown a Black teen and saying racial slurs was released to his father's custody on Tuesday (September 13). John Sheeran was indicted last month on charges of attempted murder and assault following an incident at a pond in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Boston.com reports.
The Black victim met up with the 14-year-old and another kid at Goose Pond in Chatham, according to Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois. The Black teen reportedly told police Sheeran picked up a rock, threatened him, and called him racial slurs, court records obtained by Boston 25 News show.
Investigators claim the victim put on a life vest and told the other kids he couldn't swim. After getting into the water, the Black youth alleges Sheeran grabbed his life vest and pulled him underwater four to five times. The third juvenile reportedly laughed at the victim's distress and called him "George Floyd." The incident ended when other bystanders intervened.
Sheeran was ordered held without bail during his first court appearance last month. Following his release this week, he'll have to wear a GPS device and adhere to curfews, according to Kevin Reddington, the attorney representing the 14-year-old.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (September 13).
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