By Khalida Sarwari
Three teenage boys have admitted to sexually assaulting Audrie Pott before the 15-year-old Saratoga High School student took her own life, and they were ordered to serve between 30 and 45 days in juvenile hall. It may not have been the verdict everyone wanted, but for the Pott family it meant a semblance of closure.
The boys, whose names haven’t been released because they are minors, admitted to “digitally penetrating” Audrie on Sept. 2, 2012, while she was passed out, intoxicated and unconscious, and also of possessing photos of her. Two of the boys have already finished serving 30 days–during weekends–while a third boy is currently spending 45 consecutive days in juvenile detention.
Audrie’s father, Larry Pott, and stepmother, Lisa Pott, recently discussed their reaction to the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
“We are glad that the truth is starting to come out and this has provided some closure for us,” Larry Pott said. “It was agonizing to sit through the criminal proceedings so we are relieved that this part is over.”
While the family assisted law enforcement with the investigation, Lisa Pott said, they remained mindful that they were dealing with a “legal system, not a justice system.”
“The reality is that nothing will bring Audrie back, and honestly, we felt no emotion one way or the other toward the outcome,” she said.
The Potts also addressed comments made by Philip Pereira, a lawyer for one of the boys. In court documents filed in December, Pereira said Audrie’s divorced parents were partially to blame.
Lisa Pott dismissed Pereira’s comments as “fictitious and irrelevant.” “That attorney and that family did not know us, and did not know Audrie,” she said.
Her husband said the comments, while shocking, came as no surprise to the family. Pereira could not be reached for comment.
The Potts said they would proceed with a wrongful death lawsuit against the boys. Filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court last April, the suit claims the boys sexually assaulted Audrie at a Labor Day weekend party while they were sober and then texted at least one photo of her half-naked body to other students. The boys, schoolmates that Audrie had considered her friends, are accused of drawing and writing sexually explicit messages on her body with a marker. Audrie hanged herself a week later.
“We first decided to file the lawsuit so that we could have some control and effect on the criminal case and be more involved in the discovery of facts and issues surrounding the case,” Larry Pott said. “This is the best way for us to bring accountability to all those involved. It is not and never has been about the money.”
On another front, a pair of Senate bills that could prevent future similar tragedies have both been signed into law, said Lisa Pott. Senate Bill 255 makes it a misdemeanor to publish images of another person without their consent, “with the intent to cause serious emotional distress.” The law provides a punishment of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The second, Assembly Bill 256, is a cyber bullying law that amends the education code to give school administrators the authority to expel students who have participated in cyber bullying, whether it happens on or off campus.
“Audrie’s case was discussed in detail for both of these laws,” said Lisa Pott. “We are glad that going public with our story is helping people to understand the devastating nature of this crime and make changes accordingly that may help others.”
Additionally, Sheila Pott, Audrie’s biological mother, has assembled a team that is working to introduce new legislation and strengthen laws against juvenile sex offenders, Larry Pott said.
“In the next month or so, there will be news about their efforts,” he said.
Lisa Pott said the family would continue to focus on the Audrie Pott Foundation, which offers scholarships to students in the Bay Area to pursue art and music and also provides youth counseling and support as well as suicide and sexual assault awareness. The nonprofit organization was formed shortly after Audrie’s death.
“We look forward to doing happy, positive things in Audrie’s honor, and continue to look for avenues to bring art to our community,” Lisa Pott said.
Criminal trial result brings some closure for the Pott family
