Gang-rape Victim Was Honors Student; 6th Arrest Made; A Friend Speaks Out; How You Can Help
She is a 15-year-old honors English student, attends church three times a week, and has a long-distance boyfriend. She chose a sparkly purple gown and silver shoes to wear to her homecoming dance, which she had looked forward to for weeks. She and close friend Kami Baker, 16, walked into the dance together, no doubt expecting a fun night filled with music and friends.
Before the night would end, the 15-year-old would be in the hospital, victim of a horrific 2½-hour gang rape by as many as 10 young men. While the rape went on, a group of bystanders apparently watched, cheered and took cell phone photos and video. The victim was left half-naked and unconscious, found by police only because another teenage girl heard two young men bragging about the crime.
Instant attention was focused on the school, the security, the community. The most blistering criticism has been leveled toward those who stood by and watched as the crime took place. We simply can't understand how fellow humans could stand by and watch this young girl be brutalized.
There have been some developments. Thursday evening, police made a sixth arrest in the crime, an 18-year-old man. He was being held on $1.3 million bail. Four other teens were arraigned in open court Thursday, all wearing bulletproof vests – they are 15, 16, 17 and 19. A 21-year-old has also been arrested, and investigation is ongoing.
The victim has been able to leave the hospital and go home. Students – including Baker –
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Thanks for this information, Diane. I don't know what I will say on a card but we will send a small donation. I think I'll focus more on her recovery that what happened to her. She will relive it in her own mind over and over (and also perhaps in court though I suspect these rapists will plead out) so no need to harp on the crimes themselves.
I am sickened by what has happened to her. I have two daughters of my own and my skin crawls at the thought of something like this happening to them. I also have a small son, and am equally sickened to think these rapists were once small sons too.
What happened to those 'small sons' who ended up vicious rapists just a few years later. Will we ever know?
This is totally uncalled for...these boys/men need to have their balls cut off. Perhaps if castration was a form of punishment for these acts of crime less of this would happen to these young innocent girls & women. Violence such as this is so heart wrenching, and I feel very sad for this young girl and her family. I wish her the best.
As a teenage guy with three sisters, two of which are younger (13 and 16, older one is 23)…It really does scare me. Plus, it really does kick me in the pride department. I know teenage boys are too caught up in talking big and a little too on the horn dog and porn loving side…but this is just, I don’t even know how to describe it. I can’t believe teenagers are becoming criminals whether it be stealing or violent like murdering (that 15 year old girl who murdered the 9 year old recently) and raping another. I don’t think parents understand what their sons and daughters do these days. I can’t exactly say that it’s parents’ faults of their sons (or daughters) committing violent crimes…even if they are strict or loving parents…but I think the parents of the bystanders—who laughed and video taped this—and the young rapists didn’t teach them to respect women or even teach them that when they witness a crime, they MUST call 911 or they could also be arrested for participation (and child pornography). I’m just disgusted, utterly disgusted and ashamed of my gender. I’ve heard ignorant people on other websites blaming the poor girl just because she said yes to drinking. First off, no one knows if she did drink or is she did, was drunk. Second, it is NEVER the victims’ fault, even if they happen to be caught up in the moment with their boyfriend or husband and end up saying no. I had a very long lecture by my father when I entered 9th grade about the importance of knowing NOT to drink and if I did, never ever take advantage of a girl when she is drunk. It’s a big no no, even if she says yes. It’s still rape because when you’re drunk, you’re not in the correct state of mind. I can’t help but worry about my youngest sister now that she will be in 9th next year…there will be pressure to have sex and party. I’m already overprotective as it is, I interrogate already. But I just can’t believe a young man would participate in this. They just signed their soul to the devil when they decided to trick a girl… I also cannot believe security (4 cops) did not kick the 10-15 guys off school grounds or put the dance on lockdown once they found the girl. Also, does anyone know where the hell the father was?! She walked out and waited for her dad, but where was he during the 2 ½ hours? I hope to God these people serve life in jail and the bystanders get years and years in jail.
Thank you, Anonymous. At least you had a father to teach you what is acceptable behavior and what is not. As a black woman feminist, it's easy to fall into extreme pessimism about the degradation of women in this society (movies, music, music videos, television) and the desensitization of young people to all this ugliness that now represents our "culture." And it's easy to feel hateful: I understand this was a young white woman. Now a rape happens every 2 minutes in this country and 44% of the victims are under eighteen (quoting Rachel Simmons of Huffington Post - let's hope she did her homework; I have not.) While I'm glad for any attention to this issue, is the victim's race why we are focusing - with such unified outrage - on this one case, when this crime is so prevalent? My pessimism makes me think so. But it's wonderful to hear from a young man like yourself who actually cares. Makes me think there may be hope for us after all. zane
I hope all those guys get shot.