Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photo Supposedly Shows "Dark Underside" Of Bronx Science Hazing Case
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 10, 2013
Modified Mar 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Google Maps
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 10, 2013
Modified Mar 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
During a court appearance on Friday, the three teenaged defendants in the Bronx Science hazing case were ordered not to contact their accuser. According to DNAinfo, the trio joked with supporters in the hallway before appearing somber during the hearing (the Post calls them "Two-faced jerks") and today the Daily News published a photo that shows two of the defendants with other members of the school's track team striking exaggerated poses for the camera. The paper asserts that the photo "seems like further evidence of the team's dark underside."
16-year-old Thomas Brady, 16-year-old Boubacar Diallo, and 17-year-old Pier Berkmans are charged with sexually hazing a 15-year-old underclassman several times in recent months. According to the criminal complaint, one of the defendants told the victim "You need a good fingering, you freshman," before sodomizing him with his finger through his clothing. In another instance, a defendant allegedly threatened to rape the victim if he didn't touch the defendant's penis.
“The track team had a reputation for acting out,” a former school staffer told the News. “They were real competitors, but they liked to play around…The track team was known for wild behavior." The athletic director for the track team, Marion Deitrich, along with two other track coaches, were suspended last week. An email Deitrich sent to staff last year seems to acknowledge that hazing was a problem on the team: "A student’s genitals were touched from an athlete on the track team.” The Wall Street Journal reports that the school's principal is not being investigated in the matter.
Several students told the Times that the whole case was being blown out of proportion: “It was just jokes. Maybe it was a little immature. Maybe if you were a freshman you’d get scared. But guys joke around.”
“These are minors. They’re entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Angel Cruz, one of the defendant's attorneys told DNAinfo after the hearing. “My only hope is that we’ll be able to restore their reputation at the conclusion of this matter.”
Tagged
bronx
bronx science
hazing
high school
teens
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .