CHAPEL HILL — The suspects accused of beating an East Chapel Hill High School student made their first appearance in a Hillsborough courtroom Monday.
Michael Cooper, Arthur Partlow and Tory Jamal Lassiter are charged with the assault of East Chapel Hill High School student Rodney Carrier, who is in fair condition at UNC hospitals with head and internal injuries. His condition has improved in the past few days.
The fight occurred during the students' lunch break on Friday across the street from the school.
Despite the incident, the school principal is still trying to assure people that East Chapel Hill High School is still a safe campus. They are inviting students, parents and faculty members to review East Chapel Hill's safe schools policy and their safety plan.
The school is debating whether to let students leave to go out to lunch anymore.



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/share/2012/02/09/10711513/4f348e7981bb5-51x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/04/10712136/pics_agunn53833-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2012/02/11/10719067/10719072-1329050037-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717011/10717011-1328936455-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717059/10717059-1328939591-100x75.jpg)







WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.