Posted on 07/06/2007 6:04:39 PM PDT by indcons
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Two teenagers were accused of gang raping a woman and forcing her 12-year-old son to join in the attack, then beating him and pouring cleaning solution into his eyes.
Authorities allege Avion Lawson, 14, and Nathan Walker, 16, were among a group of about 10 masked suspects who forced their way into the woman's apartment in a crime-ridden housing project the night of June 18.
The two were being held without bail Friday on suspicion of armed sexual battery by multiple perpetrators, sexual performance by a child, armed home invasion and aggravated battery. Both were arrested this week, but formal charges had not been filed. Authorities said the two would be charged as adults.
"Any rape case is horrible but this takes it to another level, something you can't think of even in your worst dreams," police spokesman Ted White said.
According to the police report, a man knocked on the woman's door at about 9 p.m. and told her he had a flat tire. The mother and son, whom police have not identified, went outside and were ambushed by a group of gun-wielding suspects.
The victims told police they were forced back into their home and beaten and sexually assaulted. According to authorities, the men raped, sodomized and beat the woman, then forced her son to participate in the assault at gunpoint, making him have sex with his mother in front of them.
The boy was then beaten and had numerous household cleaning liquids poured into his eyes, according to the police report.
The suspects also stole a few hundred dollars worth of cash and jewelry, White said.
White said more arrests were expected, but he would not say whether authorities had identified additional suspects. The teens in custody were not cooperating, but Lawson confessed to taking part in the attack, White said. Walker has denied involvement, White said.
DNA evidence in a condom found in the victims' home linked Lawson to the crime, police said. Investigators also say they found a palm print belonging to Walker at the scene.
The victims did not suffer life-threatening injuries and have been released from the hospital, White said.
"They're going through the county victim services for counseling," he said.
Lawson lived in Dunbar Village, the hardscrabble project where the attack occurred. Walker was apparently visiting a friend there, White said.
Authorities believe the suspects all knew each other from the neighborhood, but they don't think they knew the victims directly.
Prosecutors have 21 days from the time a suspect is arrested to formally file charges. Lawson was arrested Tuesday. Walker was arrested Thursday.
Walker made a first court appearance on Friday, after which his father, also named Nathan Walker, spoke briefly.
"My son has a good heart," the elder Walker said outside court. "I can't believe my son would do something like this. I don't teach my son violence so I don't understand."
Walker's attorney, Robert Gershman, said Friday he intended to enter a not guilty plea on behalf of his client once charges are formally filed. He would not comment further.
A telephone message left at the office of Lawson's public defender was not immediately returned.
I’ve read too many similar stories lately.
We now reside in a very violent, twisted society.
Unfortunately.
BUMP!
Bump
Beyond words
” However, I can’t support death penalty minimum for rape. Look at the Duke case.”
DNA cleared the accused at Duke.
There is clear convincing DNA evidence here.
How will this mother and son ever recover from this?
“Kids are fixable...”
Who is going to fix the victims?
They had no mercy or pity on either victim, and how are they to be fixed? A county conselor? That is going to “make it all better” please......
Catch 22, if the pictures aren’t plastered all over the media, then it is “media bias” if they are shown, then it’s racially biased.
Either way, there is a mother and her son going through hell, no matter if these two were black or green or white or whatever...ya know?
That was the Wichita murders.
That scumbag Edwards is right - - there are two Americas.
You’ve got to be chitting me... These aren’t “kids,” and they’re not “fixable.”
Save your do-gooding energy to try to “fix” the poor kid who was forced to have sex with his mother.
Cal, this is going on in more of our towns than most of know.
What has happened to America?
Several here, mixed in with the porn.
In the simplest of terms...there stopped being men attached to these victims who would and could go get a rope and hang the perps on the spot before the day was out. That kind of consequence kept the devil tamped down in young men.
Here is another one from just the other day.
Three indicted in home invasion
Shavon D. Page celebrated his 18th birthday Tuesday in chains, arraigned on charges he and two teenage companions invaded a couple’s East Knox County home, pistol-whipped the homeowner and forced him to watch the rape of his wife.
Right now, Page and co-defendants Dameion S. Nolan and Michael L. McMahan, both 17, are charged via delinquency petitions in Knox County Juvenile Court
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/jul/04/three-indicted-in-home-invasion/
Yup, there wouldn't be any rapes then! They'll turn into rape/murders.
The article doesn't mention the "race" of the victims, either. My guess is they were probably black, too. The article notes: "...a group of about 10 masked suspects who forced their way into the woman's apartment in a crime-ridden housing project..." I know, that doesn't prove the victims are black, but they probably are.
What a shame that this crime wouldn't be seen as a "hate crime" unless it was committed by someone with a different color of skin. As we all know, all crimes are hate crimes.
No - what happened???
What in the world does THAT mean????
I'd like to have a share of penny stock for every time some enabling perpetrator's parent said (after the fact) "My kid has a good heart, is a good boy, etc." I'd OWN the market.
You want to stop this crap? Make an example. Hang them in the public square for all to see. Let the other kids who might think about committing a crime think about it and be deterred.
Half the reason "juveniles" are perpetrating crimes like this is the "Aww, they are just kids" crowd. It is an adult crime, a heinous crime, and they should be disposed of.
I am leery of mandatory minima, and would not establish such, but in this case, after the accused are proven guilty under due process (DNA evidence?), Hang them.
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