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FashionParadise · Oct 29th, 2009, 06:19 PM

3 get life in prison for gang rape of Fla. mother

http://news.aol.com/article/3-senten...newsaol_inpage

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -Three men convicted of the gang rape of a West Palm Beach woman and the beating of her young son were sentenced to life in prison Tuesday.
Palm Beach Circuit Judge Krista Marx sentenced Jakaris Taylor, 17, and Nathan Walker, 18, to life in prison while Tommy Poindexter, 20, was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. A fourth defendant, Avion Lawson, 16, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in December.
The four were convicted of barging into the then-35-year-old woman's West Palm Beach apartment in 2007 and raping her repeatedly, then beating her then-12-year-old son and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. They then doused the two in chemicals and left when they could not find a match.
Authorities say fingerprints and DNA found on clothing and condoms in the apartment identified the defendants, who were juveniles at the time of the crime.
The courtroom, packed with family members of the defendants, erupted after the sentence was read, despite Marx's admonishment that those who could not control themselves should leave beforehand. After Poindexter scuffled with a corrections officer, his brother, Masterson Poindexter, yelled out, "What the (expletive) are you doing to my brother."
Then the 13-year-old half brother of Taylor ran past stunned officers and deputies and opened a back door where his brother had been led in shackles. The crying boy was detained by deputies but later freed.
Defense lawyers had argued that the men were juveniles at the time of the crime and sentencing juveniles to life in prison amounts to cruel and unusual punishment — something that does not even occur in Iraq and North Korea. They noted that two similar cases are currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Both Public Defender Carey Haughwout, who represents Poindexter, and Robert Gershman, who represents Walker, said they would file motions for new trials and appeal.
Haughwout said she was "disappointed" with the sentence but Gershman said he was not surprised. "I was expecting life based on the facts of the case," he said.
In a statement, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe said, "Today, justice was done for the mother and child who were the victims of a brutal, vicious attack on their bodies and their characters. The blameless in this case are the victims who will likely never fully move beyond one's worst nightmare made all too real."
McAuliffe commended the victim for her "great courage and resolve" in aiding the investigation.
The victim was not present at the sentencing. However, prosecutor Aleathea McRoberts read a letter from her in which she said she and her son were still suffering greatly. In the letter, the victim said she is afraid to leave the house, seeing a psychologist and has been treated for cervical cancer — which she believes is due to the chemicals the defendants put inside her. She said her son is also seeing a psychologist and feels guilty that he could not protect his mother.
The defense attorneys and two psychologists who testified for them argued that the youths were products of troubled upbringings. One was born cocaine addicted, another lost his father at a young age and another was constantly beaten by his grandmother.
Taylor's mother testified that she had been treated for mental illness and alcoholism, and herself was raped twice. "I don't want him to get life," she told Marx. "Every child deserves a second chance."
Taylor's father testified that he was in and out of recovery for drug addiction, saying, "I've battled my own demons." "I'm asking you to give him a second chance and take into account what he has endured," said Nathan Taylor Sr.
But McRoberts countered that, "there is a huge population of kids who were raised by single moms without much money who don't have jobs that never go on to commit crimes."
"This community has a right to be protected from these juveniles," she said. "Short of killing this woman and her son, there is not much worse they could have done."
Judge Marx agreed.
"This was not a garden variety crime by any means." She said. "It was designed to instill fear and invoke terror and gave you all pleasure and excitement. Most of us have a moral code and refrain from wrongdoing. I can only surmise that none of you have a moral code."

This made me want to cry. For so many reasons. :(

everything posh · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:00 PM

oh my goodness, what a horrific crime! I'm glad they got harsh sentences, they deserve worse if you ask me!

envyme · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:12 PM

Justice was served!

Vinyl · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:22 PM

It makes me sick to read what they did to the mother & her son. Second chances? Really? No one "deserves" anything... do they think the victims will have THEIR second chances at having a stable life again?

Melissa71 · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:27 PM

Wow. They honestly believe monsters like that, deserve a second chance? Or that life in prison is cruel and unusual punishment?

I'm glad they get life, I hope they stay in prison forever. What they did to that poor woman and her son, is worse than life in prison.

Sternchen · Oct 30th, 2009, 07:36 AM

Oh my goodness gracious. Honestly, I think what they did was WORSE than killing these two poor people. These people will have to live with this AWFUL memory for the rest of their lives. They will never get over it...

Oh...I just cannot imagine. And those PARENTS who asked for a "second chance" for their children? ....no words.

~Fabulousity~ · Oct 30th, 2009, 02:00 PM

that is so disgusting what they did, they deserve to be locked away for life. If not they will do the same to someone else. Very sad.

MissV · Oct 30th, 2009, 04:38 PM

thats so messed up. omg

vbskull · Nov 1st, 2009, 07:46 AM

I cannot believe that the parents were trying to justify what they did. The mother and son are going to be traumatized for the rest of their lives. I can't imagine what they had to deal with. No matter how you were brought up, most people know right from wrong.

TheWinglessBird · Nov 1st, 2009, 07:53 AM

As I was reading this, it was just getting worse! What on earth possessed these animals to perform such cruelty to this poor woman & child? I am completly shocked at the ages of these people!! They are my age - & even younger! This has made me so angry & I would like to hear what they have to say for themselves - although nothing, nothing could justify their actions! I'm just shocked!!

lolitakali · Nov 1st, 2009, 03:15 PM

Yeah... but in SG, they will all be either a lifer or will be hanged...

I think the 25 years is not enough, many people needs the capital punishment to remind them NOT to commit certain mindless acts; yes there exists people like that that needs those kind of punishments and heavy handed laws. An eye for an eye!

P.S. Notice how those criminals' parents "make excuses" for their children AND themselves??? Yeah, blame the drug / alcohol use, blame this blame that but themselves & their own idiot kids!

Charlie · Nov 1st, 2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by envyme

Justice was served!

I agree.

twin53 · Nov 1st, 2009, 04:04 PM

those rotten apples didn't fall far from the trees did they? those parents are disgusting too.

Cindi · Nov 1st, 2009, 04:06 PM

Animals! After all that they were going to set the poor people on fire too??? I'm sure they will find out in jail how it feels to have done to them what they did to this poor woman. Throw the parents in jail too for raising such monsters. I can't believe they had anything to say about the sentence. What did they think would happen after what they did???

Oct 29th, 2009, 06:19 PM	#1
FashionParadise OP Life is So Sweet Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Amongst the stars Posts: 778	3 get life in prison for gang rape of Fla. mother 3 get life in prison for gang rape of Fla. mother http://news.aol.com/article/3-senten...newsaol_inpage WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -Three men convicted of the gang rape of a West Palm Beach woman and the beating of her young son were sentenced to life in prison Tuesday. Palm Beach Circuit Judge Krista Marx sentenced Jakaris Taylor, 17, and Nathan Walker, 18, to life in prison while Tommy Poindexter, 20, was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. A fourth defendant, Avion Lawson, 16, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in December. The four were convicted of barging into the then-35-year-old woman's West Palm Beach apartment in 2007 and raping her repeatedly, then beating her then-12-year-old son and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. They then doused the two in chemicals and left when they could not find a match. Authorities say fingerprints and DNA found on clothing and condoms in the apartment identified the defendants, who were juveniles at the time of the crime. The courtroom, packed with family members of the defendants, erupted after the sentence was read, despite Marx's admonishment that those who could not control themselves should leave beforehand. After Poindexter scuffled with a corrections officer, his brother, Masterson Poindexter, yelled out, "What the (expletive) are you doing to my brother." Then the 13-year-old half brother of Taylor ran past stunned officers and deputies and opened a back door where his brother had been led in shackles. The crying boy was detained by deputies but later freed. Defense lawyers had argued that the men were juveniles at the time of the crime and sentencing juveniles to life in prison amounts to cruel and unusual punishment — something that does not even occur in Iraq and North Korea. They noted that two similar cases are currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Public Defender Carey Haughwout, who represents Poindexter, and Robert Gershman, who represents Walker, said they would file motions for new trials and appeal. Haughwout said she was "disappointed" with the sentence but Gershman said he was not surprised. "I was expecting life based on the facts of the case," he said. In a statement, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe said, "Today, justice was done for the mother and child who were the victims of a brutal, vicious attack on their bodies and their characters. The blameless in this case are the victims who will likely never fully move beyond one's worst nightmare made all too real." McAuliffe commended the victim for her "great courage and resolve" in aiding the investigation. The victim was not present at the sentencing. However, prosecutor Aleathea McRoberts read a letter from her in which she said she and her son were still suffering greatly. In the letter, the victim said she is afraid to leave the house, seeing a psychologist and has been treated for cervical cancer — which she believes is due to the chemicals the defendants put inside her. She said her son is also seeing a psychologist and feels guilty that he could not protect his mother. The defense attorneys and two psychologists who testified for them argued that the youths were products of troubled upbringings. One was born cocaine addicted, another lost his father at a young age and another was constantly beaten by his grandmother. Taylor's mother testified that she had been treated for mental illness and alcoholism, and herself was raped twice. "I don't want him to get life," she told Marx. "Every child deserves a second chance." Taylor's father testified that he was in and out of recovery for drug addiction, saying, "I've battled my own demons." "I'm asking you to give him a second chance and take into account what he has endured," said Nathan Taylor Sr. But McRoberts countered that, "there is a huge population of kids who were raised by single moms without much money who don't have jobs that never go on to commit crimes." "This community has a right to be protected from these juveniles," she said. "Short of killing this woman and her son, there is not much worse they could have done." Judge Marx agreed. "This was not a garden variety crime by any means." She said. "It was designed to instill fear and invoke terror and gave you all pleasure and excitement. Most of us have a moral code and refrain from wrongdoing. I can only surmise that none of you have a moral code." This made me want to cry. For so many reasons. :(
	__________________ "At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe." -From The Polar Express

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:00 PM	#2
everything posh Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!! Posts: 1,659	oh my goodness, what a horrific crime! I'm glad they got harsh sentences, they deserve worse if you ask me!
	__________________

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:12 PM	#3
envyme God's Creation Joined: Jan 2006 Location: I'm A Brain In A Jar Posts: 4,467	Justice was served!
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Oct 29th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#4
Vinyl Miu Miu lovin'! Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Honolulu/Boston Posts: 3,212	It makes me sick to read what they did to the mother & her son. Second chances? Really? No one "deserves" anything... do they think the victims will have THEIR second chances at having a stable life again?
	__________________

Oct 30th, 2009, 07:36 AM	#6
Sternchen Proud mama of 3! Joined: May 2006 Location: Bavaria, Germany Posts: 13,940	Oh my goodness gracious. Honestly, I think what they did was WORSE than killing these two poor people. These people will have to live with this AWFUL memory for the rest of their lives. They will never get over it... Oh...I just cannot imagine. And those PARENTS who asked for a "second chance" for their children? ....no words.
	__________________ Dear Santa, I have been a very good girl this year and have worked very hard for my family, my school and my job. This year I would like to wish for only one thing: THE CUPCAKE CAR!!! Please and thank you. Love, Melanie

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:27 PM	#5
Melissa71 Member Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,106	Wow. They honestly believe monsters like that, deserve a second chance? Or that life in prison is cruel and unusual punishment? I'm glad they get life, I hope they stay in prison forever. What they did to that poor woman and her son, is worse than life in prison.

Oct 30th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#7
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,911	that is so disgusting what they did, they deserve to be locked away for life. If not they will do the same to someone else. Very sad.
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,911

Oct 30th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#8
MissV Member Joined: Feb 2006 Location: somewhere fabulous Posts: 3,698	thats so messed up. omg
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Nov 1st, 2009, 07:46 AM	#9
vbskull Window Shopper Joined: Oct 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,018	I cannot believe that the parents were trying to justify what they did. The mother and son are going to be traumatized for the rest of their lives. I can't imagine what they had to deal with. No matter how you were brought up, most people know right from wrong.
	__________________ I LOVE MY BBAGS !!! Current Collection: 04 Black First 06 Emerald First 07 Black City LV Mono Speedy 25

Nov 1st, 2009, 07:53 AM	#10
TheWinglessBird Member Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 723	As I was reading this, it was just getting worse! What on earth possessed these animals to perform such cruelty to this poor woman & child? I am completly shocked at the ages of these people!! They are my age - & even younger! This has made me so angry & I would like to hear what they have to say for themselves - although nothing, nothing could justify their actions! I'm just shocked!!
	__________________ A new season, A new Love

Nov 1st, 2009, 03:15 PM	#11
lolitakali Mira Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,492	Yeah... but in SG, they will all be either a lifer or will be hanged... I think the 25 years is not enough, many people needs the capital punishment to remind them NOT to commit certain mindless acts; yes there exists people like that that needs those kind of punishments and heavy handed laws. An eye for an eye! P.S. Notice how those criminals' parents "make excuses" for their children AND themselves??? Yeah, blame the drug / alcohol use, blame this blame that but themselves & their own idiot kids!
	__________________ *Best way to diet is to eat what you hate, not eat what you love.* *$$$$$ / GOLD = "my precious".* -ME to be a dragon hoarding gold-

Nov 1st, 2009, 04:04 PM	#13
twin53 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,180	those rotten apples didn't fall far from the trees did they? those parents are disgusting too.
twin53 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,180

Nov 1st, 2009, 04:06 PM	#14
Cindi Happy Thanksgiving Joined: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,041	Animals! After all that they were going to set the poor people on fire too??? I'm sure they will find out in jail how it feels to have done to them what they did to this poor woman. Throw the parents in jail too for raising such monsters. I can't believe they had anything to say about the sentence. What did they think would happen after what they did???
	__________________ Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

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