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 * [[image:bilde.jpg caption="TOMMY LEE POINDEXTER, right, and Nathan Walker wait for their trial to start Monday in Palm Beach County court in West Palm Beach."]]

Third Teen Convicted in West Palm Beach Gang Rape Case**

In 2007, a group of teens raped a then-35-year-old mother in her West Palm Beach apartment, and beat her then-12-year-old son.

One of the teens, Jakaris Taylor, 17, was convicted of all 13 charges against him, including sexual assault, kidnapping, and grand theft.

In September of 2009, two other teens - Tommy Poindexter, 20, and Nathan Walker, 18 - were convicted of most of the same charges as Jakaris. A third defendant, Avion Lawson, 16, pleaded guilty and testified against the others.

The Authorities believe that the teens barged into the then-35-year-old woman's apartment in West Palm Beach in 2007, and raped her repeatedly with up to six other masked, gun-toting teens. They said the suspects also forced the woman to perform oral sex on her then-12-year-old son and beat him before dousing them in household chemicals to clean the scene.

The prosecutors said things about the attack, saying that it was "the most egregious treatment of another human being by another person."

The defense argued that Tommy was calling the shots and that Jakaris was simply being controlled by peer pressure, seeing as Tommy was the oldest.

While DNA testing found on clothing and condoms confirmed the already accused suspects, they are still searching for additional suspects.


 * 1) Image retrieved from: The Ledger http://www.theledger.com/article/20090919/NEWS/909195034?Title=Third-Teen-Is-Convicted-in-Gang-Rape-Case
 * 2) Article source: Naples News http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/sep/18/3rd-teen-convicted-west-palm-beach-gang-rape-case/