Yonatan Getachew, 18, was arrested Tuesday, April 28. Charges against him include attempted first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree arson.
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WASHINGTON DC (WTOP) – The family of an Ethiopian teenager accused in a plot to murder a high school principal tells WTOP there is misinformation about the case.
In an email to WTOP, a woman identifying herself as a cousin of 18-year-old Yonata Getachew says the family still can’t believe what they are being told.
Meklit Bekele contends that on the day the plot was uncovered, Getachew was not stopped by school security at Springbrook High School in Maryland, as police said, but was sent home for being out of class.
The family says Getachew wasn’t the mastermind of the alleged plot, and that they are not familiar with 17-year-old Anthony Nelson Torrence.
Torrence and Getachew are accused of conspiring to kill the Springbrook High principal, three counts of arson, and making flammable devices.
The Getachew family insists the only flammable devices in their home were incense sticks used in cultural ceremonies.
Both teens were ordered held without bond.
Related:
* Ethiopian student in Maryland charged with murder plot
16 thoughts on “Family of Yonata Getachew speaks out”
deport him ………ager asedabii
A good lawyer could take care of any discrepancy. If we had a strong community a case like this could be dealt easily by hiring a great lawyer.
Woyane is accusing and holding everyone. Now this kid is barely 18 and they say he conspired to kill others? When does this end?
I hope the story is not true. It is sad to see a typical beautiful Ethiopian face on the news paper as an accused criminal. This is a lesson to other parents not to put problems under the rug if they happen to have a disobedient, badly behaved child. You must do everything under the sun to find the underline cause of his/her rebelliousness and direct them in the right direction before it is too late.
Speak out is good. Watch out for your kid too.
I am embarrassed with what is happening these days. Bank robberies, theft, homicide, homeless and so forth. For a population of less than a quarter of a million in the US, I think, we are overrepresented in all social vices.
Lidetu,
Don’t blame the Woyanes for your own Destruction.
The kid is just accused. He is not convicted of anything. He is an innocent until proven other wise. Please don’t rush to judgement. It looks like there is a lot we don’t know. So it is good to wait until all the fact comes out.
I know his father and he is one the most respected member of our community. Getachew is a man whom you would like to have as a brother, friend, neighbor and teammate. He used to be a member of soccer team. As a member of Maryland Ethiopian soccer team, he was one of the most liked players.
God Bless him and his family.
Mimi,
How much do you know about the case for you to make this decision? Have you tried to learn the other side of the story? In fact, who made you to be the supreme concious of our Ager? You should be ashamed of yourself. You and the likes who do not use your brain but instead jump into crucifing others are the ‘Ager Asedabis’.
I am ashamed to be one of your Ager lig.
May God give you the brain and the wisdom to use your brain.
Your unfortunate Ager Lig.
Hold your horses.Don’t rush for judjment.This is not a Woyanne country.It is the United States Of America where the rule of law is respected.Nobody is guilty till find by court of law.This is typical Woyanne attitude which is, “kill first and ask the question later”.We need an attitude change.Don’t think like Woyanne.
It is simple. If he is found guilty, he should be locked for life without mercy. If not, he will be free. But, I am a bit pessimistic that he should have done something to be suspected in such a big crime. In any justice needs to be served.
Mimmi,
Sorry to hear that from you! Whether it is true or false you can’t be Ager Lig if you if you don’t stand on your people side for good or bad. After all don’t be a sell-out for your future Sister(koredit).
18 years old aint a kid he is a grown azz man so dont feel sorry for him he is just another spoiled brat who wanna be a white boy,i hope they will lock his dumb azz for a long time.he has opportunity to better him slef but he choose to to be a goffy and a fool.
There is no “ager lij or wenz lij”. Teens commit crimes in this country and Ethiopian teens are not saints. We don’t stand for crime, we stand against crime regardless of who committed it. The Yonas case is still being investigated. He is not yet indited. If he is innocent, the law will set him free (we will be happy). If they convict him with evidence, he needs to pay for his actions(we will take the shame). Period!
There is, of course, yager lig and yewenz lig. It means community and we need to have that sense of community. I have read rediculous and stupid comments on this blog. Let’s give this kid and his family the chance to air their side of the story and defend him in a court of law. Let us not be the ones that prosecute and judge him. We will have all the time to lynch him WHEN AND IF he is found guilty. Have you ever thought about what if he is innocent? He is a teenage who will live the rest of his life with this scar. Does it ever cross our mind? Would we have said the same thing if he was our son or brother? The family is adamantely saying he is innocent. We, as a society, should have supported the family during this terrible times. Let the legal process take its course. Till then, please keep your stupid judgement to yourself.
Yager Lig
Thank you yager Lig, One astewaye kemeto weshetam tebelo yel. Well said.
GOD please be with Yonata and the family!
Please…Please…Please don’t judge you will be judge one day.
You can’t imagine what a nightmare this is for families and friends of Yonata Getachew. I for one will give my life before I believe this allegation against him. If you know Yonata Iam sure you will say the same thing. Yonata is a very kind, carrying and soft spoken young man who can’t even heart a fly. All the people who knew Yonata can testify about his kind nature. This allegation against him doesn’t fit his profile and I know he will come out of it in flying colors but the scar will be with him. I plead to you all please don’t add any more scars to his life. I kindly advise you all gather your facts before making a harsh comment. Thank you for your cooperation and GOD Bless! – ZZ