The Mulberry Eight

Well lets start off with saying that the blog is usually reserved for comic book, movies, TV, etc, but theres an incident that occurred a couple of weeks ago and its getting exposure on both the internet and the news a like and this is subject that really tears at me every time i read or see something about it.

What I'm talking about is the beating of a 16 year old girl by a group of former friends because of some comment left on their myspace or facebook.

Heres the Copypasta from the news

Lakeland, Florida - The Polk County Sheriff's office released the video of a teenage girl who, as Sheriff Grady Judd puts it, was "lured so her friends could beat her."

The video shows what Judd says is the second of five beatings the 16-year-old received from people she knew. The attackers say they were upset with so-called "trash talk" the victim posted on her MySpace page, and they say they wanted to post their own video of the beating on MySpace and YouTube.

The sheriff says the victim was first beaten unconscious in a bedroom. When she awoke, she was on a couch in the living room, where the screaming and beatings continued.

"It is disgusting that the attackers find it funny and want to post something on the Internet showing someone nearly beaten to death," says the victim's mother.

Sheriff Judd is calling it one of the most disturbing videos he has seen in a long time and he hopes all those arrested will be tried as adults. They face charges ranging from felony battery, false imprisonment to kidnapping. The sheriff says the attackers "were relentless."

Even though those involved could face prison time, Judd says the teens showed no remorse after their arrests.

"When they were in a holding cell, they were all laughing," Judd says. "One of the teens arrested, who is a cheerleader, asked, 'Does this mean I'm going to miss cheerleading practice tomorrow?' The others were cutting up and said, 'It looks like we won't be going to the beach this weekend.'"

While the attackers can laugh off the incident, the victim's mother certainly can't.

"You never think it will happen to your family," she says. "To have this happen and see it... is hard to bear."

Nancy Grace video on the incident



So heres my 2 cents, these girls are more then old enough to be tried for adults, I hope that the gender issue does not come into play in this incident at all, especially with a male judge most likely taking the case, because you know if this were boys doing this, no one would hesitate throwing the book at them. There is no justification for a group beating like this. If these girls were as tough as they say they are they'd fight some where in public and not have to lure her to a private location where she was out numbered.

Now what I cant agree with is the parents view of this, they seem to strictly blame the internet for the incident. Now thats a crock of shit, I know they're upset and feel helpless but heres some news for them, these girls would have done what they did if myspace or youtube did not exist and those sites do not condone or support videos like this. Heres some copypasta and video of the parents crusade against the internet.

"These Web sites are creating a space for criminal activity, beating, fights," Patrick Lindsay said. "MySpace, MTV's 'Jackass,' they are enticing our children and desensitizing out children. Now, if they create the best shock video, they are the heroes. They think it is top dollar."


"Just the shock of it happening to you and seeing your daughter in a deformity, that was horrific," Talisa Lindsay said. "It's very emotional."

Rubbing his wife's back as she tried to gain her composure, Patrick Lindsay vowed to get justice for their daughter.

"I'm very upset with these Internet sites," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, MySpace is the anti-Christ for children. I'm going to carry this as far as I can."

These parents like most parents no nothing of the internet and need to do some research before they make these claims, I do agree that no ones child deserves what happened to their daughter, I have younger sister around that age, and I cant imagine how I would react if something like this would happen to her. The blame should be strictly on these girls and the parents.


EDIT:

A producer for Dr. Phil posted the $33,000 bail for Mercades Nichols tonight. Mercades was the alleged "ringleader" for the 8 teens who were involved in beating another teenage girl until she could not see or hear in one ear. The teens taped it, and it was brutal. Click here to see it. Out of all the scum bags the producer picked the worst one, and set her free. On the way out he claimed Dr. Phil’s show had exclusive rights to the Mercades’ story. She may have a problem telling her story however, since a judge has a strict gag order in place which won’t even allow the Sheriff to talk to the media.

Heres some TMZ video




Thats my 2 cents on this incident and if ya have comments leave em as long as they're about the topic at hand. Also florida you've failed again. :)