By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Two teenagers were accused of gang raping a woman and forcing her 12-year-old son to join in the attack, then beating him and pouring cleaning solution into his eyes.

Authorities allege Avion Lawson, 14, and Nathan Walker, 16, were among a group of about 10 masked suspects who forced their way into the woman's apartment in a crime-ridden housing project the night of June 18.

The two were being held without bail Friday on suspicion of armed sexual battery by multiple perpetrators, sexual performance by a child, armed home invasion and aggravated battery. Both were arrested this week, but formal charges had not been filed. Authorities said the two would be charged as adults.

"Any rape case is horrible but this takes it to another level, something you can't think of even in your worst dreams," police spokesman Ted White said.

According to the police report, a man knocked on the woman's door at about 9 p.m. and told her he had a flat tire. The mother and son, whom police have not identified, went outside and were ambushed by a group of gun-wielding suspects.

The victims told police they were forced back into their home and beaten and sexually assaulted. According to authorities, the men raped, sodomized and beat the woman, then forced her son to participate in the assault at gunpoint, making him have sex with his mother in front of them.

The boy was then beaten and had numerous household cleaning liquids poured into his eyes, according to the police report.

The suspects also stole a few hundred dollars worth of cash and jewelry, White said.

White said more arrests were expected, but he would not say whether authorities had identified additional suspects. The teens in custody were not cooperating, but Lawson confessed to taking part in the attack, White said. Walker has denied involvement, White said.

DNA evidence in a condom found in the victims' home linked Lawson to the crime, police said. Investigators also say they found a palm print belonging to Walker at the scene.

The victims did not suffer life-threatening injuries and have been released from the hospital, White said.

"They're going through the county victim services for counseling," he said.

Lawson lived in Dunbar Village, the hardscrabble project where the attack occurred. Walker was apparently visiting a friend there, White said.

Authorities believe the suspects all knew each other from the neighborhood, but they don't think they knew the victims directly.

Prosecutors have 21 days from the time a suspect is arrested to formally file charges. Lawson was arrested Tuesday. Walker was arrested Thursday.

Walker made a first court appearance on Friday, after which his father, also named Nathan Walker, spoke briefly.

"My son has a good heart," the elder Walker said outside court. "I can't believe my son would do something like this. I don't teach my son violence so I don't understand."

Walker's attorney, Robert Gershman, said Friday he intended to enter a not guilty plea on behalf of his client once charges are formally filed. He would not comment further.

A telephone message left at the office of Lawson's public defender was not immediately returned.


Now how sick is this??

What the fuck?!!!!

read about this yesterday. Its disgusting. that poor kid ha go to be devastated!

Horrible . . . absolutely horrible!

hell on earth

I hope they're given the maximum sentence. Savages like these bastards can't be rehabilitated.

ok, i'm not gonna read these anymore.

Why do people post this shit? What, you think we are deluded and don't think horrid things happen in this world? As a single mother with a son I say [Snip - luv4u] Did you find this entertaining? You must have enough so to share it with the rest of us...

You might think I have been rather harsh... I think you have been rather unnecessary and horrendous.. so even!

relax...i don't think he/she posted this for entertainment.....



very sad, those bastards need to be beaten...

unlucky7 said:

i agree. on both counts.

I like to think firing squads would be a deterrent. You can't tell me there aren't people who deserve it.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

you ok Muse?

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

Well, it IS a legitimate news story.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

scared, disturbed reaction leading to unrealistic misdirected venting.

I am confused on what is considered news.

Someone should cut the ball sand chop off the penis from these assholes. People who rape someone are not worthy to live!
[Edited 7/8/07 7:38am]

In Muse's defense, I think I understand where she's coming from. No disrespect to funkpill, but so many of us -- including myself, from time to time -- jump to post stuff like this. Why exactly? It's not like any of us are legislators or judges or jurors involved in these cases, and what real conversation ever arises other than, "These (choose an expletive)! Someone should (choose a mode of condemnation/retribution)! What is this world coming to!?!"

I understand that when we read this stuff we are often so repulsed we just have to share. But to what end? I'm not saying we should ignore these sorts of things as we seek a higher moral ground, but do we really need to so frequently dump this kinda stuff on others... on a Prince website, no less? Believe me, they already know... and they already lament it.

Lastly, if, say, these teens had rescued this mother and son after finding them trapped in a burning home, I wonder if the story would inspire such a need to discuss and spread around. We do live in a screwed-up world, but like individuals, I think societies are what they eat.
[Edited 7/8/07 8:16am]

Lammastide said:

It's only natural to be more interested in danger and threats than safe status. We are animals that need to be happy, eat and reproduce, so stuff that will stop that natural functional life will dominate our concern when it arises. Any news of crime is indicative of stuff that will stop our natural life and habits. We are in the habit of making symbols and noises to each other when hints of threat or new threats surface.

To Funkpill I owe a huge apology.. though honestly my remarks were more general for this type of posting I personalized it and that was flat wrong and also to easy to do as I don't know you.....

On the matter at hand:

This is a entertainment sort of site and I fail to see the need for these sorts of posts. Although I have a right to my personal opinion I also have the power to click or not click... I know this... but sometimes you need to just speak up. Callousness in humans always takes me to the mat... I just don't get it.. what about a horrific story like this sends one to post it? What inspires one to wish to share the darkest of humanity? We all know its there! reading that crap was horrid before bed... I don't read such material and feel nothing but like I am staring at a train wreck.... Does anyone? That is frightening to me!



On the actual matter:

What was done to the woman is bad enough.... what was done to the child is unspeakable... he will never, ever heal from that. Being forced to participate in the rape of your own mother and then have cleaning fluids poured in your eyes as a reward for compliance..... The 10 men are likely to get a sentence of what? 8-12 years.... ( You get 7 to 9 for murder) Which means likely they will be out in say 4-6? Statistics have proven at least 8 of the 10 will further commit a crime against another innocent. I always stood down on capitol punishment but I am alllll for it these days! These individuals are NOT rehabilitateable they are already dead inside!

It says 2 of the men committed the crime while the other 8 watched or helped it to happen and or did nothing either way to stop it????? Let em go down equally!

funkpill would be the first to lay down his life to defend someone from physical harm. you know i love you babe

as for the visceral reaction, i understand. myself, i could not read the article.
whether that is good or not i don't know. if we don't listen to the news about heinous things around the world, does that make it better?

ufoclub said:

Granted. And from a biological standpoint, you make a lot of sense. For the record, I don't prescribe turning a blind eye to news of inhumanities. Only our awareness of them will effect action against them.

Still, I have to wonder what good these sorts of stories -- in constant rotation -- have on a true praxis level in a forum like this. Returning to the biological group panic response: So now Prince fans the world over know there were predators on the loose in a particular housing project in a particular city in a particular part of the United States... almost a month ago... and they've since been caught. Now what? We writhe in pain, we get angry and/or scared, we satsfy ourselves with fleeting visions of torturing these jerks... and we eventually move on to talk about Planet Earth and 7-7-07.

I guess I can't stop this sort of thing thing. Heck, I suppose I shouldn't even want to stop it as humans healthily process trauma this way. But somewhere I just have to wonder what real good it does -- and if maybe it does just as much harm -- especially in a place of mixed company, where most of us come primarily to escape this sort of thing.

I dunno, ufoclub. I've certainly got no answers. Just more questions. Your point is well taken.
[Edited 7/8/07 17:03pm]

By the way -- again -- absolute ZERO disrespect to funkpill. I think I posted some killjoy thread a couple weeks ago, and 9s challenged me about being the bearer of bad news. He was joking (shocking, eh? ). But I think there might have been some validity underlying his reaction.
[Edited 7/8/07 17:13pm]

Lammastide said:

true and well said...completely agree.

I hope they're eventually tried as adults with a life sentence. I couldn't imagine the amount of counseling those two are gonna have to go through. Being in that position, I personally wouldn't have opened the door in the first place.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

I agree. Shit like this shouldn't be posted. I can watch the news if I want to hear stuff like this. I come here to get away, not to be disturbed.



Smooches;)

well you don't have to come to the thread and read the article.

Lammastide said:

well at the same time I'm against shows like "To Catch a Predator" because the people involved are in it for ratings and money. And have already caused someone to kill themselves.

ufoclub said:

I hadn't heard about this one. Was it a wanted person or a victim?

Lammastide said:

It was the predator....someone posted a thread about this, but I can't remember all of the details.