This is a story we reported here last summer.
Yesterday AP reported that the oldest of the rapist boys would be given over to the juvenile justice system for three years of therapy. Testimony centered around the fact that rape was common in Liberia.
PHOENIX — A teenage Liberian refugee charged in the gang-rape of an 8-year-old girl will be sent to the juvenile system for therapy and released in less than three years, rather than face more than 25 years in prison if convicted as an adult, a Phoenix judge ruled Thursday.
The 15-year-old, whom The Associated Press is not naming because of his age, was 14 at the time of the July assault and had been the only one of four boys charged as an adult. All the children involved are refugees from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Kemp decided to send the teen’s case to juvenile court Thursday, meaning he will undergo treatment and be released when he turns 18, possibly sooner.
[…..]
Kemp issued his ruling after listening to four days of testimony and arguments, which included the findings of several psychologists that the teen would be better off in the juvenile system. While prosecutors argued to keep the teen in the adult system, their expert witness said he should be in juvenile court.
Part of the lengthy testimony included a glimpse of the teen’s life before he and his family fled Liberia as a refugee and came to the U.S. For 10 years, he witnessed rape and murder, sometimes of his own family members, and constantly had to relocate to different refugee camps during Liberia’s civil war, according to the testimony.
[…..]
The case prompted an international outcry after police reported the girl’s father said she brought shame on the family and he didn’t want her back — comments a family pastor later said were misunderstood because of a language barrier.
State child welfare officials have custody of the girl. The girl’s 59-year-old father and 47-year-old mother are each charged with eight child abuse counts for abuse and neglect reports dating back to 2005. Those charges were filed in November.
Liberians are largely here on Temporary Protected Status and just last weekend participated in the March on America in Washington, DC, here.