They didn't throw the book at him. They don't have the authority. Only a
judge or jury can do that, and in this case it looks like a jury is the way to go.

I'd fight it, and make sure the newspapers see how the prosecutor and police
are behaving. The purpose of any real prosecution is to bring criminals
to justice, not rack up notches on the old gunbelt by going after kids who fall
afoul of politicized causes by accident.

The balance in a criminal case is whether or not there is a reasonable doubt,
so don't let those scumbags tell you that "confessing" falsely is in any way the
right thing to do.

Dollars to donuts there's an election coming up, isn't there? Get the reporters
to draw recollection to that prosecutor in that Duke University bogus r4pe
case. Get the judge to put a publication ban on the boy's identity and go for
the throat of those guys while the odds are with you. Don't let them trick you
into silence for any reason. Take advantage of the privacy the judge
gives you to put their faces on papers and TV as many times as you
can. Even if the judge refuses a publication ban, don't hesitate to go to war.

Don't get scared. Get angry. They're going for an easy victim, so you go for blood.
Remind them of the stakes and make sure they know you are more determined
to fight their crime than they are to manufacture one for their own
benefit. They may have money but you have the time and genuinely care,
and that's your advantage.

Of course, get a lawyer to see if the above advice will work in your state.
Some of them are still in the stone age when it comes to real justice.

There's your pep talk, now find a lawyer who agrees with it. Start with the
law students at your boy's college and they'll get things rolling for free and
help you find a defender who values justice over money.

Have fun, and good hunting.