We asked your thoughts about the case of a Southbay teen facing felony charges for what he believes was a senior prank involving exploding bottles at a school.
I believe the judge is correct in his decision about the dry ice bombs. This kid is lucky nobody was hurt or worse killed due to his prank. Without the consequence of prison time, copycat pranksters just might kill or maim innocent people. The thought of mandatory prison time will make them think twice about such pranks.
Dry ice bombs are one step away from terrorist activities.
-- Robert
If someone was injuried as a result of this so called "prank" this would have a very different result. Parents would be highly up set, lawsuits pending, review of security measures, to name a few changes. This careless young man should be held accountable for his "criminal" actions and reimburse all police and fire response and investigation expenses. This is like a drunk driver involved in a car accident, but no one was killed. A drunk driver is still held responsable. -- Glenn
Its a tuff one, he did endangered students lifes. Luckly no one was hurt. I'm not a parent but he should be punished for what he did. I hope they go easy on him. But I doubt it -- Adam
It is ridiculous what things have come to. The city needs to focus on violent criminals instead of wasting their time on this kid. I cant even belive the DA is prosecuting. She needs to go. -- brad
The media should be ashamed for excessive hype in reporting about this incident. The term "Bottle Bomb", conjures images of explosives and terrorists in the mind's of many people; not once did I hear an explanation of the components of a bottle bomb.
If Elphbert is guilty of possessing the materials to make an explosive device; then send the police to arrest me, too. I confess I have some dry ice and some 2-liter bottles of soda in the frig. -- Riki
Im a student of San Ysidro High School and i dont really think that the incident that happened in SYHS wasnt as big as the media makes it. It gives my school a bad reputation. And i dont think that the student that was charged for the bombs shouldnt be punished this bad. It was just a harmless prank. The media is just making the prank a huge deal. -- Oscar
This smells of grandstanding by the district attorney. Laforteza is a high school kid who made a dumb mistake. Sending him to jail for 6 years is ridiculous. If anything make him enlist in the military where his special skills can be useful. -- Brian
Clearly, this young man is remorseful over his actions, related to the prank. I do believe, the authorities are trying to make an example out of him. Thankfully, no one was injured. However, I am certain, he has learned his lesson. He appears to be an intelligent young man, and I believe he deserves a second chance. He has aspirations to obtain a college education, and be a productive member of our society. He is not a criminal, who deserves to spend 6 years in jail. The only crime he is guilty of is, an error in judgement. -- Eloisa
i would like to say that there should be some kind of punishment but not to the extent for prison or jail time that would ruin his future. some alternative would be better for the youth. seems he`s not the type to go down the wrong path in life. some kind of tuff program of some sort. -- jamie
I say make an example of him, no special treatment. If he was so smart, he would have thought before he acted. -- Lincoln
this kid needs to go to prison, this is a kid that could have killed your or my kids he needs to go to prison. this is not a prank this is somethhing terrorist do and it's not a joke to them. -- Michael
I think the teen should do time for his crime. Bringing bombs to school is just ridiculous. First school shootings then this. How is this supposed to be taken as a prank. Lock him up. -- Justin
Well my opinion on the kid looking at many felony counts, All I have to say is you do the crime, Do the time!! -- Henry
I think he needs to pay for his crime, just because he's inteligent and a good student, doesn't make what he did OK. He could have injured or killed somebody. Let him be the sacrificial lamb that, hopefully, will deter other children from doing this. -- Diana
