The Polk County Florida Video Beat Down

© Dr. Gary D. Lemmons, April 13, 2008

This week, eight people, ranging in ages from14 to18, have become the focus of discussion about a violent and disgusting video, allegedly made to be broadcast over the Internet.  On Friday, during their first court appearance, the Florida State’s Attorney announced that the seven teens under 18 also would be tried as adults. A judge in the Bartow, Florida set bond at $30,000.  Additionally, a gag order has been imposed on all parties connected with the case.

This atrocity involved the videotaped beating of 16 year old Victoria Lindsey, who was lured to a friend’s house, then attacked.  Additionally, she was prevented from leaving after the beating began with threats of even further physical punishment.  While not all the teens actually hit Lindsey, some encouraged the assailants on with “Yeah baby, oh, yeah.”  At least two teens served as lookouts outside and even rang the door bell when noise of the beating became too loud.  When the beating was concluded, the teens drove Lindsey to another location, dropped her off, and warned her not to tell anyone or contact the police under threat of an even more severe beating.

Allegedly, this act was committed by teenagers who were upset with comments Lindsey had left of some of the teen’s Myspace pages.  According to reports, the teens planned to upload a copy of the video to their Myspace pages and possibly to YouTube.com, a site that posts videos of all types.

All eight of the individuals now face felony battery and kidnapping charges, which could carry up to a life sentence.

In their brief court appearance, the body language of the eight was not impressive.  At least one of the “mother’s darlings” smirked throughout most of the proceedings.  In most of their eyes, I detected the dead gaze that marks a being totally devoid of conscience or of any moral sense

Most aggravating of all were comments that were made by Stephen Schumaker’s father, Robert.  He seemed to indicate that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd had jumped the gun and was trying to make this case into a big deal.  I wonder how Robert Schumaker would have felt if someone had lured his son, Stephen, to a house and beat the living crap out of him?!?

Schumaker’s attitude is typical of so many parents of criminal children in the post-modern world:

“My child would never do anything like that” or “Well, my child wouldn’t have done it unless someone else had done something first” or (and this is my favorite) “My child is a good person; she or he just fell in with the wrong crowd.”

I have hot off the presses new for some of these parents.  When it comes to criminals, your punk is the wrong crowd!

Now, before this railroad station closes, Victoria Lindsey may not be lily-white in this situation.  I have taken a look at Myspace in the past and some of the verbiage that teens leave on those “post your comments” sections can be brutal.  However, no one has ever raised a bruise or broken a bone by writing an insult.

The court system should do its work.  For the actual assailants (those that threw the punches), 15 years to life.  For the “cheerleaders”, the “film crew”, and the “security guards”, five to 15 years. 

Set an example Polk County, Florida!