66 face child sex ring trial

CNN ^ | March 4, 2005 | CNN

[AliVeritas]

The criminal trial, one of the largest ever in modern French history, was entering its second day Friday in the small, historic village of Angers.

On Thursday, the defendants -- 39 men and 27 women -- were brought before the court. One by one, they were asked to stand and give their age, profession and home address.

Dozens of the defendants are accused of prostituting children and babies in exchange for food packets and small amounts of money.

The case centers on the alleged rape and other abuse of 45 children in a low-income neighborhood in Angers from 1999-2000, The Associated Press reported.

Three people face life imprisonment if convicted of raping minors under age 15 and of active participation in the prostitution ring, AP said.

Another 36 people face up to 20 years imprisonment for similar charges. Nineteen face a maximum of either seven years or ten years in prison for sexual abuse and corrupting minors.

[AliVeritas]

Number is closer to 200. An adult, six month old babies? Counseling for the judges and the jurors!, are you kidding me? What about therapy for the children. This world is definitely coming to an end. What is wrong with these people. Lord have mercy.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

It's ironic that the judges, jurors, and perps get couseling paid by the state. The victims ask for it and get the standard "Screw you, go take out a loan and pay for it yourself!" Pretty sad. This kind of crap is happening in America, too. Forget student loans. Just rob a 7-Eleven, do your 5 yrs in jail, and come out with a bachelor's degree. Makes me sick.

[hasegawasama]

the world is coming to an end? perhaps.

[Calpernia]

ping

[Cindy]

Thanks for the ping Calpernia.

There is absolutely NO EXCUSE
for hurting a child.

[TWohlford]

I don't believe it.

It hasn't been that long since we had child abuse witch hunts in the country, remember? The McMartin Preschool?

I don't believe it until I see physical evidence.

[Balding_Eagle]

I'm with you. I lived near to where one of those witch hunts occured.

Wasn't there even a bumper sticker with something like "Believe the Children"? It turned out the children made it all up.

[Grut]

Kind of sounds like that mess they had in Washington State a few years ago... which turned out to be made out of the whole cloth. Might be wise to refrain from opining for a while.