Five students have been charged in connection with the varsity locker room chocking and beating of a 15-year-old Dr. Phillips High School (DPHS) freshman football player that occurred more than two months ago.
The State Attorney’s office confirmed in an e-mail to West Orlando News on Friday that, charges have been filed related to the criminal investigation at Dr. Phillips High School. The charges stem from a hazing incident in which Darrion Denson, formerly of Dr. Phillips High School, said he was beaten, thrown in a garbage can and his money stolen by several varsity football players on September 7th.
Because those charged in the incident are juveniles and, as per Florida Statute 985.04, their names and the nature of the charges are not being released.
But, Darrion’s father, Rev. Porter Denson is not happy that the juveniles are only facing misdemeanor charges. Rev. Denson told West Orlando News that he plans on requesting the U.S. Justice Department to look at the case as one in which civil rights violations occurred.
Rev. Denson said that he is also not pleased that only five players would be, as he puts it, “getting a slap on the wrist”, as more than 20 players were involved in the hazing incident. While indicating that, a sixth varsity football player is expected to be charged as an adult shortly, Porter Denson said that action should have been taken a long time ago and that those responsible should have been put in jail.
Asked how his son, Darrion was doing since the incident, Rev. Denson said “not very well.”
Porter Denson said that his son “suffers from memory lost, still is in pain and can’t do any physical activity”. He said that following the incident his son’s medical records proved he suffered a concussion. Rev. Denson said he was advised that Darrion’s current problems were related to the punching and beating his son had received.
Through his attorneys, the Densons have submitted a notice to file suit against the Orange County School District, which has six months to respond.
Meanwhile, Rev. Denson said that those who were charged and others involved in the incident have been allowed to continue with their lives, while his son still struggles to get his life back to normal, if he ever will. The only fall out so far for the perpetrators, up until the charges today, Porter Denson said was, one student was suspended for 10 days by the Orange County School District. That’s it.
Rev. Denson remains disturbed that his son’s integrity was challenged by the Orange County School District, whose attorney, Diego Rodriguez raised questions regarding the veracity of Darrion’s account,at a news conference, following the September 7th hazing incident.
Porter Denson plans to continue to keep fighting to ensure that he gets justice for his son.
