WOODBURY (AP) — Murder charges have been dropped against three teens accused of selling a synthetic drug that caused the death of a classmate in Minnesota.

Instead, prosecutors in Washington County opted for plea agreements with the three 17-year-olds, believing the teens have a chance to contribute to society.

“Sometimes we deal with hardened defendants,” said Kevin Mueller, Washington County assistant attorney. “These kids were not.”

Tara Fitzgerald, 17, died in January 2014 after ingesting a synthetic drug. Months later, Sydney Johnson, Alistair Berg and Brian Norlander were charged with third-degree murder.

Under terms of the plea agreements, murder charges were dropped in exchange for guilty pleas to a reduced felony drug charge. Instead of prison, the teens will spend weekends in jail, pay restitution and perform community service.

Even the victim’s parents were conflicted about the murder charges against the teens.

“As the parent of a teen, I had empathy for these kids,” Tom Fitzgerald said “They certainly weren’t full-fledged drug dealers, No. 1, and their intent was not to harm anybody.”

Two others, 19-year-old men, were also charged with third-degree murder. One of the men manufactured the synthetic drug at his home in St. Cloud and sold it to the other man, who sold it to Johnson, prosecutors said.

Tom Fitzgerald said recently he wasn’t surprised when prosecutors decided to dismiss the more serious charges against the high school students.

“Maybe in the future they can make something positive of their lives and it will benefit society,” he said of the three teens. “I don’t want to ruin someone else’s life for a single mistake they had done that had tragic unexpected consequences.”