Posted on 04/12/2008 11:50:59 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
BARTOW, Fla. -- One of eight teens accused of taking part in the notorious videotaped "animalistic" beating of another Central Florida teen snickered while a judge issued bail on Friday.
April Cooper, 14, giggled and attempted to hold in her laughter as she was told that she was being held on $36,000 bond, Local 6 News reported. It's not known why Cooper giggled.
A judge set bails ranging from $30,000 to $37,000 for each during their first court appearances.
They also were ordered to stay away from their high school and Internet social networking sites, such as MySpace. The judge also ordered them not to have any contact with the victim or each other.
The accused range in age from 14 to 18. The state attorney's office said all will be tried as adults on charges that include kidnapping.
The judge has ordered everyone involved in the case not to talk to the media. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the incident "animalistic" attack when he released the video on Monday.
The videotape of the beating has been viewed widely on national TV and the Internet this week.
Families Seek Protection
Families of the teens accused in the beating have received death threats from across the country after their addresses and phone numbers were posted on the Internet, inside a YouTube video.
The new YouTube video calls out for the public to take action, saying, "let your voices be heard."
The video then posts the girls' names, their phone numbers, addresses and other information.
Local 6 reported that some of the families have spoken with deputies about the possibility of getting protection for their safety.
The six girls are accused of luring Victoria Lindsay to a home so they could videotape her beating over some apparent online "trash talk."
Stephen Schumaker and Zachary Ashley are accused of acting as lookouts during the attack.
Schumaker, the only one of the eight arrested to be released from jail, told Local 6 that his family is receiving death threats from all over the United States.
"I don't see why I'm even in this whole situation," Schumaker said in an interview for Local 6.
The videotaped beating was seen by more than 500,000 people as of Thursday night and prompted e-mails to Local6.com from all over the country.
It was the most-viewed video on YouTube at one point Thursday, Local 6 reported.
Wrong Information Posted Online
Meanwhile, an innocent family was targeted by angry callers after their information was mistakenly posted online.
The couple said they got around 300 angr
y, abusive calls from all over the country Wednesday.
thanks!
My boys all went thru phases where I thought they were *lost*, but all came around. Your daughter has time.
susie
Don't you just hate it when that happens?
Just a little innocent fantasizing fun.
This so called "victim" should just laugh it off, as I am sure you would from your hospital bed if it happened to you.
Boys will be boys.
Only one I am trying to save are the 14 year olds. Peer pressure is a *itch.
I only started talking about this issue because in Florida, brother they don’t give you no breaks.
As discussed above, the kid who was mimicking wrestling, at first got life sentence.
Couple of other idiots/teenagers stole a STOP SIGN and then a fatal accident ocurred and those guys also got LIFE SENTENCES. That too was in Florida. I don’t know what their ages were, but all I remember is hearing that they were teenagers.
Based on those memories and based on the video clip I have seen on TV, my first reaction was either Hazing gone bad or girls who want to be Gangstas trying to earn their tattoos.
That in itself is so immature that its pathetic, but that’s reality for THOUSANDS of kids - earning their gang-tattoos.
I am guilty of feeling sad for fearing for a 14 year old, who due to their own stupidity, bad parenting and being surrounded by perverse culture, could end up in Slammer for a LONG time. Just didn’t think that was a good outcome. Punshished she should be, but not where outcome is determined by how much attention the case recieved in Media. She should not be used as an example of Judge and Jury flexing their muscles as to how tough they are.
Also the girl they beat up on, has even lived as a family with the girls who beat her up. It was pathetic, but I don’t think their intention was to kill her. Only make a video what they think is cool to show how tough and cool they are.
The older ones deserve Floridaesque punishment. I would let the younger ones get some counseling and therapy and perhaps spend time in Juvenile detention.
Oh, a right of passage, acceptable as the norm these days. OK.
She should not be used as an example of Judge and Jury flexing their muscles as to how tough they are.
I haven't seen that idea being broached anywhere. That would be stupid.
I don’t think their intention was to kill her.
Oh, no problem then. Just gang up on her and beat her up. If they didn't intend to kill her, it's OK. Gotcha.
Only make a video what they think is cool to show how tough and cool they are.
OIC, "only make a video." Glad no one got hurt.
So this is just normal things kids need to do while growing up.
I don't see anywhere where this had anything to do with gangs. Maybe I missed that part.
Cheerlear Gangs, with tattoos of pom-poms?
When 6-7 kids are beating up on one - its the same group-think as gangs. Especially the fact they felt an urge to record themselves. Its all about showing power and pretending to be cool. Just like gangs. Cheerleader Gang - that’s a good one!!! LOL!
Second, just because someone says these days Gang-hazing or rights to earn your gang-tattoos are commonplace, doesn’t mean they think its OK. Here is some good news for you: Paranoia - its a curable disease!
Also, whether you like it or not, Law does view causing physcial bodily harm vs actual intention of trying to kill someone differently.
If you view that video and you think they were actually trying to kill that girl, then you need to make an appointment with your optometrist the first chance you get.
(I don't usually respond to convoluted misinterpretations of my posts.)
It's always good to try something new.
:>)
Trying using your own advice once in a while.
You responded to what you wanted to believe I said (and with strawman arguments and cute little ad hominem comments.)
If you don't want to respond to what I actually said, I understand.
"Paranoia - its a curable disease"
Plagiarism - it too can be cured.
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