Four young girls in middle school are accused of beating another girl. The beating was filmed by numerous people including a man next door who witnesses and caught the beating on video. Mixed feelings arise whether or not the man filming should be charged without helping the young victim. Also, whether the twelve year old girls who beat the girl should be charged as minors or receive more or less of a punishment. The twelve year old victim was a quite girl who kept to herself and wanted the attention of her classmates. This could have been a reason she was targeted by the girls who bullied her.
The victim was at one of the four girls house when the attack happened. The four girls may have pretended to befriend the victim in order to get her to the house. They then attacked the victim after the neighbor heard the four girls planning on what to do. Even though the girls are only twelve years old, they do know right from wrong and could have been charged as an adult because they knew enough to plan the attack. The whole attack was caught on tape by the neighbor who watched the girls plan and carry out the attack. The public as well as the victims mother are horrified that the guy could watch this happen and do nothing about it. He could have stopped this whole beating and saved the girl from injury. The four girls gave the victim two black eyes, a bruised nose, and bite marks on her hand. After the guy turned the video evidence into police he was not charged with any crimes. Even though it isnt against the law to not be obligated to stop a crime, it was immoral for him to do nothing and he will have to live with that. A similar story like this happened where a kid watched a murder, did nothing, and was not charged with a crime. Should the law change making citizens more responsible for not intervening in a violent crime?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTdXOQmXrc
Another issue that arises is how these girls should be charged. One of the four girls, who was considered the leader, her mothers explained how she has done this times before and needs punishment. However, because they did plan and coordinate the attack, and also pretended they were the victim in order to keep her at the house longer, are reasons why they could be charged as adults. Even though they are only twelve years old they knew exactly what they were doing. However, should the sentences be lenient because young kids do make mistakes or should the sentences be harsh in order to set an example to help stop bullying. Two of the girls are being charged with assault with a deadly weapon and the others simple assault and conspiracy.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/27/justice/rhode-island-filmed-beating/index.html?npt=NP1
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