What should be done/what are the consequences if someone did this..?

Question

In the bathroom wall at school it was found that someone had written a direct death threat threatening to kill two people with a gun at a specific time. Deans have been notified, but what can be done now (this is for a friend) because the evidence rather strongly points to a specific kid? The deans do not seem to care too much about it, and the police are taking it slowly; what can be done besdies waiting for them? And what would happen to someone who was convicted of this? Much thanks!

Answer 1

1.
First what should be done?
I think that the Dean should arrest the boy(he OBVIOUSLY did it!) and torture him until he confesses. That will serve the justice!

Have you heard of presumption of innocence?[1]

2.
Now a real question is what would happen if convicted. This really depends on a lot of things.
There can be several crimes in play:
a. Defacing public property -- this is easy to proof, he will probably be fined as a result of this
b. Attempted murder -- this will never fly, merely making a threat will not amount to an attempt.
c. making terroristic threats -- some states have this crime. This can be applied, but they will still have to prove INTENT to threaten death. If he can prove that this was a mere joke he can probably get of this charge.[2]

Answer 2

Assuming that the threat was meant to be authentic and the person responsible is capable of carrying it out, I'd say the school better do something to intervene and make sure it doesn't happen (the police too) or else tragedy looks and post-event excuses won't help. Punishment depends on so many variables that I cannot guess with accuracy. Best though to intervene before punishment becomes an issue.

Answer 3

You could contact your local news station. If it is brought to the media's attention, they are more likely to take it seriously.