Nex Benedict: No charges will be filed over death of Oklahoma nonbinary teen

The Oklahoma teens involved in a high school bathroom altercation with Nex Benedict, a nonbinary 16-year-old whose death was later ruled as suicide, will not face criminal charges.

Tulsa County district attorney Steve Kunzweiler, after reviewing the Owasso Police Department’s investigation, stated the fight was considered “mutual combat” and didn’t warrant charges.

“When I review a report and make a decision to file a charge I must be convinced – as is every prosecutor – that a crime was committed and that I have reasonable belief that a judge or jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed,” Mr Kunzweiler said.

“From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat.”

This decision comes despite the broader context of Benedict’s suicide following the fight, which has sparked calls for reforms against bullying and hate in schools from Benedict’s family and attention from LGBTQ+ rights groups, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, and president Joe Biden.

“An important part of the Owasso Police Department’s investigation was the discovery of some brief notes, written by Benedict, which appeared to be related to the suicide,” Mr Kunzweiler said on Thursday.

“The precise contents of the suicide note are a personal matter which the family will have to address within the privacy of their own lives,” he said.

Mr Kunzweiler said that while securing a criminal conviction requires a standard of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt”, he noted the burden of proof in a civil case is significantly less.

“Whether or not individuals may choose to seek legal counsel for remedies in the civil realm of the court system is a decision best left to them,” he said.

“The scope of those inquiries are