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Three Arrested After Video Shows Naked Teen Whipped By Belt Over $20 Debt
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 13, 2013
Modified Feb 13, 2013
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 13, 2013
Modified Feb 13, 2013
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We can't blame you if you choose not to watch this disturbing video of a Newark teenager being stripped naked, doused with water, and whipped with a belt over a $20 debt—especially if you already saw police officers beat another teenager in Queens this morning. But the fact that the nauseating crime was filmed means that justice may be swift: three suspects have been arrested yesterday in connection with the incident, including the alleged cameraman who did nothing to stop the attack.
The Star-Ledger reports that police had been looking for the suspects since the video went viral last week, before it was removed from YouTube. Newark Police Director Samiel DeMaio deemed the video "sickening." The assailants force the victim to repeat the phrase that he lives in a "dog eat dog world" and laugh as he's doused with water (one assailant refers to it as a "shower") and beaten on his body and face. At the end of the clip, it's revealed that the victim's father allegedly owed the men $20.
"We need to show in our city that something like that is not acceptable," DeMaio said. "It’s not something we’re going to tolerate as a police department." A former Manhattan district attorney told the paper he'd "throw every available book at these guys," noting that if the victim is under 16, the suspects could be charged with distribution of child pornography.
As of now, the alleged assailant is charged with robbery, conspiracy, and aggravated assault. The charges against the other two suspects are unknown. Mayor Cory Booker is set to speak about the incident at a 1 p.m. press conference today.
Tagged
crime
newark
sickening video
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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