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Fla. teens charged in beating to be tried as adults www.privateofficer.com
April 10, 2008
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Florida teens charged in beating to be tried as adults http://www.privateofficer.com
Polk County Fla. April 10 2008
BREAKING NEWS
Prosecutors in Polk County Florida today, just a short time ago, decided to charge all seven Polk County teenagers – accused of pummeling a 16-year-old and videotaping it for YouTube and MySpace – as adults. The prosecutors say that the savage way that the teens beat the 16 year old girl and the fact that all of those arrested acted cohesively in concert in the crimes justifiys such action.
The other consideration was the fact the 16 year old victim was forced into a vehicle and taken to another location during her ordeal which prompted deputies to charge several of the teens with much more offenses including kidnapping.
The eighth teen involved is 18 years old and is already considered an adult under the law.
All eight teenagers now face charges of battery and kidnapping, which is punishable of up to life in prison. Three face an additional charge of tampering with a witness, which holds up to a 5-year prison term.
Polk County officials identified the teens involved as Mercades Nichols, 17; April Cooper, 14; Brittni Hardcastle, 17; Kayla Hassell, 15; Brittany Mayes, 17; Cara Murphy, 16; Zachary Ashley, 17; and Stephen Schumaker, 18. All are from Lakeland except Hassell, who is from Mulberry. Schumaker and Ashley served as lookouts during the beating, authorities said.
The teens’ first appearance in adult court is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.
