Community Corner

Chaos in Cox Case as Stories Conflict

One news outlet -- and many on social media -- claim she lied about not drinking at a party. Her lawyer says that is false.


By Brian McGonigle

The story of a North Andover High School volleyball captain being punished for picking a friend up at a party is becoming more complicated this week, as accusation of lies are hurled back-and-forth over the internet.

On Tuesday morning, the Valley Patriot published a bombshell story reporting that Erin Cox was set to be in court for an arraignment for possession of alcohol and lied about not drinking at that Boxford party in late September.

But Erin Cox's attorney Wendy Murphy refutes that claim.
"False," Murphy said. "That paper didn't even contact me."

Cox, 17, reportedly went to a party in Boxford on Sept. 25, and police arrived and summonsed her -- along with many others --- for being a minor in possession of alcohol. Cox claims she was only there to pick up her friend, who had been drinking.

No friend has come forward saying she called Cox for a ride. A Boxford Police officer who was on scene at the party sent an email to school administration officials saying he observed Cox and she didn't seem like she'd been drinking.

Patch was at Lawrence District Court Tuesday morning during the other students' hearings, and Cox was not seen there at that time. Because Cox is a juvenile, her court records are not public.

The Valley Patriot Editor/Publisher Tom Duggan -- who announced his news story on the radio station WCAP Tuesday morning -- cites unnamed sources from law enforcement and says North Andover and Boxford police sources told him that people on social media were saying Cox was at the party drinking for hours.

Indeed, people have been all over Facebook claiming Cox was at the party for hours, some even claiming she was drinking heavily. Some have said there are photos and videos of Cox drinking. But no proof of that has emerged.

"Silly claims meant to distract public attention and insulate the North Andover School District from shame will not be dignified," Murphy said in a statement Tuesday after the news report was published.

"The statement of a police officer at the scene was provided in court and to North Andover school officials making it very clear that Erin Cox did not have even the 'slightest' odor of alcohol, had not been drinking, had no intention of drinking and was at the party to help a friend."

Cox is filing suit against the School Department, Murphy said recently, because of what Murphy calls "lies" from school officials. She said the lawyer for the school, Attorney Geoffrey Bok, falsely said Cox was arrested at the scene.

"This lie has fueled retaliation and more lies and will be addressed in litigation," Murphy said.

School officials have declined to speak about the situation as well, with the exception of a statement by Superintendent Kevin Hutchinson in which he discussed the MIAA’s guidelines regarding student discipline.

The Valley Patriot also notes that a GoFundMe site set up to raise money for Cox is no longer accepting donations.

"The Cox family has been offered money and other support from people around the country," Murphy said. "We have growing concerns that people may be using this case to exploit concerned citizens by asking them to donate money to the Cox family. We have been asking people responsible for such funds to stop using the Cox family inappropriately, and if people want to donate money, please donate to MADD or a charity of their choice that deals with issues related to drunk driving.  We have requested no money, received no money, and want no money. The lawsuit planned against the school district, and those who lied, will be filed, as with most cases like this one, based on a contingency fee relationship between the Cox family and their attorney, which means they are not in need of any legal defense funds."


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