Two Texas teens charged in noose hanging

PEARLAND, Texas, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Parents pulled more than 300 students from classes at a Texas high school after two students were charged with hanging a noose in the school parking lot.

A spokeswoman for Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, said students who left school early on Thursday would be given unexcused absences, The Facts.com of Brazoria County reported Friday.

The two students charged in the noose incident, both juniors, told police they were joking and their action was not racially motivated or intended as a hate crime.

A campus security guard spotted them hanging a noose from the top of the band director's tower at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday.

Renea Ivy-Sims, Pearland director of communications, says because classes weren't scheduled to begin for another 25 minutes, few students saw the noose.

"Parents need to talk with their kids and let them know you don't do things like this because it could lead to some serious consequences," said Pearland Police Sgt. Roy Castillo.