A 14-year-old who was accused, along with three younger boys, of raping an 8-year-old girl last summer at a Phoenix apartment complex has been sentenced to probation. All of the children, including the victim, are Liberian refugees. The courts deemed that the youngest two boys were incapable of standing trial while the case of the third boy is still pending.
Last summer, four male Liberian refugees ages 9 to 14 used a pack of gum to entice an 8-year-old girl into following them to an apartment complex storage closet. The 14-year-old, Stephen Tuopeh, held the little girl down as he and the youths took turns sexually assaulting her.
The matter had reached international proportions by the time authorities were called to investigate. A Liberian diplomat even flew to the United States to calm the torrential climate surrounding the accused refugees.
The boys were charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor and attempted sexual conduct with a minor.
The oldest child, who is now 15 and had originally been charged as an adult, pleaded guilty last Wednesday. Now charged as a juvenile, he was given probation and taken to a secure treatment center.
The 10-year-old will not stand trial because he is totally unaware of the severity of his crime and is oblivious to his legal rights, making him unable to assist his defense lawyer.
Last December, a judge ruled that the 9-year-old was also unable to stand trial and dismissed the charges. That child also did not understand the ramifications of his criminal act and was unable to comprehend how the trial would be conducted.
The fourth child, who is now 13, is awaiting a court-ordered evaluation. In previous examinations, he was also found to be incompetent of standing trial but, on June 14, a judge will determine whether the previous judgment should be overturned.
Meanwhile, the little girl is in foster care. Her parents are charged with child abuse concerning unrelated incidents. They were released from jail last month because interpreters could not be found to represent them in court.
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ok so being "totally unaware of the severity of his crime" and "oblivious" means that we will just wait until they do it again when they are older? WTF! Come on, there is nothing about that vile behavior that was misundersood or they would have done it in public and in plain site and would not have sought privacy to commit this crime against a child! They are predators who used predatory tactics to lure this child into this situation. Are these boys going to be monitored now or just allowed to prey on another helpless person! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
I cannot believe what I am hearing. My parents are Haitian and I am sensitive when hearing the word deportation..But DEPORT !!!!!!! there ass before they realize how stupid this justice system is and take FULL advantage. Poor Poor baby girl. My heart goes out to her....since we're changing up all kinds of rules then FREE citizenship for the victim and her family!!!!
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Comments: (8)
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By: ernest brown on 6/07/2010 3:59PM
are you fukking kidding me t hey should at least get juvie if not adult time for this crime. and if they are not US citizens they should be deported!
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By: ud on 6/09/2010 7:09PM
I agree. EACH of these kids should be punished. However, I suspect there is a deeper purpose for letting turning them lose.
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By: Godzilla on 6/07/2010 4:37PM
TESTING
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By: algie on 6/07/2010 7:07PM
god said payback is mine so with this sad story i let go and let god
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By: Wilson on 6/07/2010 7:38PM
This makes no sense at all, the judge is nuts. More by the state, or gov should look into this. Judge should be fired.
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By: Brownbliss302 on 6/07/2010 7:59PM
ok so being "totally unaware of the severity of his crime" and "oblivious" means that we will just wait until they do it again when they are older? WTF! Come on, there is nothing about that vile behavior that was misundersood or they would have done it in public and in plain site and would not have sought privacy to commit this crime against a child! They are predators who used predatory tactics to lure this child into this situation. Are these boys going to be monitored now or just allowed to prey on another helpless person! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
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By: REALLY !!?? on 6/07/2010 8:42PM
I cannot believe what I am hearing. My parents are Haitian and I am sensitive when hearing the word deportation..But DEPORT !!!!!!! there ass before they realize how stupid this justice system is and take FULL advantage. Poor Poor baby girl. My heart goes out to her....since we're changing up all kinds of rules then FREE citizenship for the victim and her family!!!!
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By: stephanie on 6/07/2010 10:25PM
when there is black on black crime it seems that the law just doesn't care.
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