Third Grade Murder Plot Foiled

Police in Waycross, Georgia say they have questioned a group of third-graders about a plot to kill their teacher, apparently because she had scolded one of them for standing on a chair.

Earlier a prosecutor told a newspaper the nine students are too young to be charged with a crime under Georgia law. However late this afternoon NewsChannel 9 learned that three students are officially charged with conspiracy in the case. Two of the students have also been charged with possession of a weapon.

Under Georgia law, consirpracy charges requires an act in furtherance of the plan (you have to do something other than talk about it)

The students include girls and boys, ages 8 and 9. Authorities withheld the students' names.

Waycross Police Chief Tony Tanner says school officials alerted police last week after a pupil tipped off a teacher that a girl had brought a weapon to school.

He says police seized a broken steak knife, handcuffs, duct tape, electrical and transparent tape, ribbons and a crystal paperweight from the students, who apparently intended to use them against the teacher.

All students have been suspended for various lengths of time, depending on the severity of their involvement. All will be required to attend anger management classes.