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Today jurors in U.S. District Court in Knoxville found Blount County Schools not liable in a discrimination lawsuit.

Plaintiffs had contended school officials were aware that William Blount High School students were racially harassing each other and allowed these actions to continue by not taking proper prevention measures. Officials were specifically accused of violating the students Title VI and 14th Amendment rights.

The first two defense witnesses — Blount County Sheriff’s Office Detective David Henderson and Deputy Joe Crisp — testified Tuesday that an April 6, 2005, lockdown was instituted due to a student’s threat of violence.

This testimony contrasted with the plaintiff’s case, which argued that the lockdown was the result of unresolved racial tension.

Blount County law enforcement officials had also investigated several graffiti incidents at William Blount High School during the 2004-2005 school year, said Crisp. Deputies were ultimately unable, however, to find any witnesses and turn up any leads in these cases, he said.

The plaintiffs testified in federal court Monday and Tuesday. Every witness told jurors they felt Blount County school officials showed a lack of concern in dealing with the school’s alleged hostile racial environment.

During cross-examination, plaintiffs told jurors they had not been denied participation in any school activities because of their race. Two former students — Brittney Cleveland and Vincent Morrison — explained they simply did not try out, because they feared for their own safety.

Plaintiffs also admitted two of the students had been given the option of leaving their classes five minutes early so they would not be subjected to racial slurs and threats of violence.

The two students and their parents testified that they declined this option, because it would draw more attention to the children and possibly make them bigger targets.

The plaintiffs were seeking $1 million in compensatory damages.