Lawyers representing Timothy George Simpkins, the teenager charged in the shooting at Timberview High School earlier this month, insist that he had been bullied before the incident. Attorneys reiterated the allegations on Monday during a news conference.
The news conference came days after Arlington’s police chief said that Simpkins had been involved in a “high-risk activity” that led to a disagreement at the school before the shooting. The police chief did not discuss details about whether there was evidence of bullying.
Simpkin’s lawyers and family denied that Simpkins engaged in any high-risk activity before the shooting, saying they had evidence to prove that he had been bullied. “He was simply sitting in a classroom doing his schoolwork,” one of the attorneys said. The attorneys have not shared any of their evidence, which they said they would be presenting at trial.
According to claims made by Simpkin’s family and his lawyers, he was “threatened, beaten and harassed” since the beginning of the school year. They also alleged that he was bullied through video, emails, social media, and text messages.
Kim Cole, an attorney for Simpkins, said there was “pervasive bullying” at Timberview High. She urged parents to demand that the school authorities address the bullying to ensure their children’s safety.
MarQuetta Clayton, another attorney for Simpkins, asked Arlington officials and the police chief to refrain from making public statements that could taint the jury and interfere with Simpkins’ right to a fair trial.
“This investigation is still underway, and an independent investigation is being done,” she said. “It is impossible for anyone to know all that was involved, let alone what precipitated the incident.”
The lawyers said they plan to request a gag order from the court to prevent further commentary that could interfere with their client’s right to a fair trial.
