Judge Tosses Charges in Gang Rape of 8 Year-old Liberian Girl

Hat Tip to BlkSeaGoat a judge just tossed the sexual assault charges against one of the defendants in the gang rape of an 8 year old Libreian girl. The girl's case made national attention when wretched "parents" told the state they didn't want to take her back because she was a rape victim.

The ruling issued by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Dawn Bergin came after she spent weeks considering if the boy could be made to understand the charges against him. In the seven-page decision, she ruled that the boy could not and is incompetent to stand trial. The charges, sexual assault and sexual contact with a minor, can't be refiled. AP

The judge's contention is that the defendant is "incompetent" due to his age, he's 9 and there are programs to rehabilitate him... because we all know that the justice system does such a stellar job of rehabilitation. In making this conclusion, she points to the fact that he draws and doodles during proceedings

But the judge said a chance of being made competent wasn't sufficient. She also included detail of her observations of the boy during the four days of hearing

"He seemed quite oblivious to the proceedings," Bergin wrote. "He would mostly draw, play with toys, look around the courtroom and put his chin on the table. He rarely, if ever, looked at a witness or seemed to be listening to or comprehending what a witness said."

... yes, because violent criminals never produce art.

The truth is that this little boy will get more counseling, support and care than the little girl he helped to violate.

Comments

[hp]

How old was the other people that were involved? Nine yrs old is really young to raping someone. This story is crazy!

I hope the little girl get counseling, support and care as well.

[gem2001]

14,15,13

[Faith]

Then when the miscreant does it again this judge is going to say what...oops my bad?

[Emily]

Oh come on. Holding a 9 year old criminally liable is not the answer. It doesn't mean his behavior was OK, it means that it needs to be dealt with by agencies other than the criminal justice system. As you note, the criminal justice system is not really set up for rehabilitation, and a 9 year old does not understand what he's doing in the same way that an adult, or even a teenager does.

I hope the girl gets services too, but we don't have to criminally prosecute a 9 year old for that to happen.

[gem2001]

Did the post say hold him criminally liable? No. the post noted the inane and idiotic reasons why the judge determined he should not be held criminally liable.