Opinion ID: 2361162
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Steven

Text: Steven's first encounter with Merzbacher was in the sixth grade when Merzbacher suddenly started punching Steven, throwing him against the locker and beating him up. (E. 378-379). Thereafter, Merzbacher would force Steven to engage in oral sex with him after class. (E. 380). This type of abuse continued through the year and the next two years, and would frequently occur in front of other teachers. (E. 381). Merzbacher would threaten Steven by telling him that Merzbacher had connections to the mafia and to other hit men who could get him at any time, and by showing Steven where he had shot his gun through the wall. (E. 380). More than once, Merzbacher would point the gun at Steven, telling him if you ever tell anybody, I'll kill you. I'll kill your father, I'll kill your mother, I'll kill your whole family. (E. 381). The principal once confronted Merzbacher about his abuse of Steven before a classroom of students. In the principal's presence, Merzbacher choked Steven, pulled his tie, punched him and kicked him, and said see, I'm not hurting him. (E. 381). After witnessing this abuse, the principal merely responded, Oh, John, stop it. [8] According to Steven, he witnessed Merzbacher engaging in sexual intercourse with the principal. (E. 386-387). After Steven began telling other students about this incident, Merzbacher put his arms around Steven's neck and said, I'll kill you. And don't you tell anybody.... And you're a crazy bastard. (E. 388). Even after Steven got married and moved to California, he did not report Merzbacher because he was going to kill my father, my mother, wipe out my whole family. (E. 396).