Defendants, Ages 12 And 13, Convicted Of Chestnut Ridge Gang Rape
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Four New York boys were convicted Friday of taking part in a violent gang rape of a teen girl in Rockland County.
The graphic statements given to police about the June attack were in sharp contrast to the baby-faced appearance of the defendants -- three 13-year-olds and a 12-year-old -- in court.
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The four boys are accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and trying to do the same to her 12-year-old sister, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
Rockland County Family Court Judge Sheri Eisenpress said Friday she believed the testimony from the victims, who described a terrifying group attack.
She said the one boy who testified, saying the sex was consensual, lacked credibility.
The boys were convicted, in part, on signed statements they gave police. Their lawyers argued the boys didn't understand what they were signing. But Judge Eisenpress said the statements could be used as evidence.
"As the statements were being read and he realized the gravity of what he's facing, it had an effect on him," attorney Larry Gantt said, referring to one of his clients.
Police said the abuse occurred over two days in June at a home in Chestnut Ridge.
"The relief is that for the last three months, everybody believed they would be in a facility," attorney David Goldstein said.
However, the middle schoolers could be sentenced next month to juvenile detention until they turn 18.
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
