THE SIDELINES : Teens Charged With Assault

Four high school athletes, including twins who were co-captains of their football team and a police officer’s son, were formally charged today with sexually abusing a mildly retarded girl.

A special grand jury handed up an indictment after a six-month investigation that included tapes made surreptitiously by a friend of the defendants who encouraged the victim to confide in her. The 19-year-old woman also was named in the indictment, as was a fifth young man charged with conspiracy.

Charged were Kevin and Kyle Scherzer, the sports stars in whose home the assault allegedly took place; Richard Corcoran Jr., son of a Glen Ridge police lieutenant, and Peter Quigley, who was accused of encouraging the others. All are 19.

Three juveniles, whose names have not been released because of their ages, have also been charged. Judge Julio Fuentes of the family court must decide whether the three will stand trial as adults.