Ari Abdallah Morales Arraigned in Richmond High Gang Rape
Four teenagers have been arraigned in the shocking gang rape case that has horrified the entire nation. The defendants, Manuel Ortega, 19, Cody Ray Smith, 15, Ari Abdallah Morales, 16 of and Marcelles James Peter, 17 filed into the Contra County Superior Court today wearing bulletproof vests.
Police outside Richmond High School, where the gang rape took place. (AP)
Smith was the only to plead not guilty, while the rest declined to enter a plea. Smith, Morales and Peter are all being charged with rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object. Prosecutors say there are special circumstances that could make them eligible for life in prison. They will be charged as adults due to the severity of the crime.
A fifth suspect has been arrested, 21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez, but he has not been charged as of yet. He remains jailed.
Police believe that in total between seven and 10 people were directly involved in the crime. According to authorities, a 15-year-old girl was lured over to a dimly lit section of the high school campus. After drinking brandy, the victim became incapacitated. Police say that a group of youths then spent two hour raping and robbing the girl, taking pictures and video of the event. The victim was discovered nearly two hours later, badly injured. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she is said to be recovering.
Police outside Richmond High School, where the gang rape took place. (AP)Smith was the only to plead not guilty, while the rest declined to enter a plea. Smith, Morales and Peter are all being charged with rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object. Prosecutors say there are special circumstances that could make them eligible for life in prison. They will be charged as adults due to the severity of the crime.
A fifth suspect has been arrested, 21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez, but he has not been charged as of yet. He remains jailed.
Police believe that in total between seven and 10 people were directly involved in the crime. According to authorities, a 15-year-old girl was lured over to a dimly lit section of the high school campus. After drinking brandy, the victim became incapacitated. Police say that a group of youths then spent two hour raping and robbing the girl, taking pictures and video of the event. The victim was discovered nearly two hours later, badly injured. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she is said to be recovering.
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