GoFundMe Launched For Conestoga Students Accused Of Locker Room Assault

BERYWN, PA – A GoFundMe campaign was launched about two months ago to raise money for the three Conestoga High School football players who were accused of assaulting another player in a locker room back in October 2015.

"We, the friends of the 'Conestoga 3' want to help these families heal and, in turn, perhaps help heal the Stoga community," campaign organizer David Paolisso writes on the page. "Please help us restore the 3 young men’s college funds and hopefully restore their faith in the human spirit."

Since launching two months ago, the campaign has generated $8,350 of the $30,000 goal.

Paolisso, who said he is a friend of the three players' families, writes the three were falsely accused of the hazing.

"As has now been proven, these outstanding and well-liked young men were not guilty of the charges filed against them," he says. "But as a result of the highly-publicized allegations, they were harassed by their classmates, and suffered on-line abuse and judgement by their community. Because of their innocence, these 17 year old young men repeatedly refused to accept a plea bargain, wanting their day in court."

He goes on to say the families spent considerable amounts of money in defending the players and one player lost a scholarship in the fallout.

In January, the three players admitted to the hazing incident and the assault charges were dropped.

"They have made an admission to the criminal summary offense of harassment," the Chester County district Attorney's Office said in a statement, "which makes it a crime to intentionally subject another person to physical contact."

"Please help us restore the 3 young men’s college funds and hopefully restore their faith in the human spirit," Paolisso writes.

You can donate to the campaign online here.

Image via Google