Murphy 'Horrified' Over Hazing Allegations At Wall High School

WALL, NJ — On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy weighed in on the hazing allegations that broke out this week involving a broomstick and students from the Wall High School football team pinning down a younger player in the locker room.

"The Governor is horrified by these reports. He has assurances that the appropriate law enforcement agencies are engaged on this matter and expects that justice will be served," Murphy spokeswoman Alexandra Altman said in a statement.

Altman added that Murphy was "deeply disturbed" by these reports.

"Governor Murphy believes that all forms of hazing and bullying are unacceptable and he was proud to sign Timothy J. Piazza’s law in August, which will require anti-hazing policies in middle and high schools and institutes of higher education," Altman said. "Since the matter remains under investigation, we will decline to comment further."

READ MORE: Tim Piazza's Law Makes NJ Strictest State In The Nation On Hazing

The new legislation will make New Jersey the strictest state in the nation when it comes to fighting hazing. It requires that all schools, both public and private, to write anti-hazing policies and teach them to students and faculty.

Hazing will also be upgraded from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime if it results in death or serious bodily injury and from a disorderly person's offense to a fourth-degree crime if it results in bodily injury.

The legislation will take effect in March 2022. It was named after a Hunterdon County teen who died in his sophomore year at Penn State after falling down a flight of stairs in a fraternity hazing ritual.

“Our greatest hope is that we never have to prosecute someone under this new law, and that we’re able to stamp out illegal hazing through the deterrent effect alone,” said Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck in August. “But should it become necessary, we will not hesitate to use the enhanced tools that Governor Murphy and the Legislature have now given us to hold accountable those who break the law.”

Three coaches at Wall High School have been put on leave for an unknown period of time as a result of the allegations, a spokesperson from the New Jersey Education Association Dawn Hiltner told Patch.

After the reports came out earlier in the week, Wall Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tracy Handerhan announced that the playoff game scheduled for Friday had been canceled.

Two parents of students at the high school shared details with NJ.com about a video that showed the incident in which one of the players was holding a mop or a broomstick.

The video does not show sodomy explicitly, but the parents told the publication that they think that is what some of the older players were attempting. They also claimed that the attacks happened more than once during this season.

Authorities are also investigating multiple sexual assault incidents involving female students at Wall High School, according to a new NJ.com report.

A source with knowledge of the proceedings told the publication that it was unclear how many suspects or victims were involved and did not disclose who was conducting the investigation.

At least one student who was also implicated in the hazing allegations within the football program at the high school is facing a separate charge and has been accused of sexually assaulting at least one girl in an unrelated incident, according to New Jersey 101.5.

That student has been taken in and released from custody and will not be charged as an adult as he is underaged, the publication wrote.

Wall Township Board of Education President Ralph Addonizio confirmed that the hazing allegation was being investigated.

"Upon becoming aware of the allegation, we immediately contacted the appropriate authorities," Addonizio said in a statement over email. "There's a pending investigation, and the school district is cooperating fully. We cannot comment further on a pending investigation of a student matter."

The official said that all questions should be directed to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Mark Spivey told Patch that, due to the confidential nature of juvenile records, the office cannot confirm or deny any details. Wall school board attorney Anthony Sciarrillo also told NJ.com that law enforcement and the district were conducting their own investigations.

"The matter's been referred to law enforcement, and the district's been doing its own investigation," Sciarrillo said. "When information becomes available that we can share with the public, we will do that."

In a letter sent to the school community, Superintendent Tracy Handerhan also said that the school had been in contact with authorities immediately upon finding out about the rumors.

"District and high school decision makers take the safety of our students and staff very seriously," Handerhan said.

The Superintendent encouraged anyone with information to contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-432-7160.

Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email catarina.moura@patch.com.