Families charged with crime after cheering at graduation get break



SENATOBIA, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi school superintendent who pressed charges against people for cheering at a high school graduation has now dropped the charges.

According to multiple media reports, Senatobia Superintendent Jay Foster says the school district withdrew the complaints Monday.

Foster says he wasn't trying to create a hardship for those arrested. He says he was protecting the rights of the class of 2015 and future Senatobia High School graduating classes.

He says in the past, out-of-control cheering meant some families couldn't hear graduates' names called or see them receive their diploma.

He says the misdemeanor disturbing-the-peace charges were filed because people disobeyed repeated instructions to hold cheers at the May 21 event.

The charges carry a fine of up to $500 and jail time of up to six months.