Josie Lou Ratley, Steel-Toed Attack Victim

Florida teenager Wayne Treacy is now on trial for a brutal kicking and stomping attack on a 15-year-old girl. Josie Lou Ratley was left in critical condition on March 16, 2010 after Treacy allegedly punched her and stomped on her with his steel-toed boots. Now 17, Ratley almost died and suffered permanent brain injuries. The attack was apparently triggered by a text message dispute between Ratley and the suspect. The attack happened after the two exchanged taunting and insulting text messages, culminating with one from Ratley referring to Treacy's dead brother. The defense claims Treacy suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder supposedly stemming from his brother's suicide a few months before the attack on Ratley.

Above: Josie Lou Ratley in an undated photo.

Wayne Treacy is seen here in an undated photo.

Josie Lou Ratley is seen here in an undated photo.

Josie Lou Ratley is seen here after the attack.

Josie Lou Ratley is seen here after the attack.

Wayne Treacy in court

Kayla Manson, a 13-year-old girl who appears to be in a relationship with Wayne Treacy, was arrested as an accessory to the brutal beating. Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti said the girl "knew he was going to do this, did nothing to stop him and, in fact, directed him to Josie, the victim, and pointed her out."

Kayla Manson is seen here in an undated photo.

Josie Lou Ratley seen here in an undated photo.

Brewer_%280%29_370x278.jpg — Personal Photo

Michael Brewer, himself a victim of a heinous crime allegedly at the hands of classmates, visited his friend and classmate Josie Lou Ratley. Brewer said he wanted to come to show Ratley's family support and even to give them hope that she can pull through and rise above what happened to her. Brewer was doused with alcohol and intentionally set on fire by a group of classmates in October 2009 and suffered burns over two thirds of his body. He surprised doctors by making an amazing recovery and was released from the hospital before Christmas 2009.

Josie Lou Ratley seen here in an undated photo.

After 41 days, three surgeries, and weeks in a medically induced coma, Josie Lou Ratley defied the odds and was released from the hospital April 27, about six weeks after suffering a brutal steel-toed beating in front of her Fort Lauderdale-area middle school.

Josie Lou Ratley seen here in an undated photo.