2 Mich. teens charged in videotaped attack
WAYLAND, Mich. (AP) - July 2, 2008 Crystal VanderLaan and Sydnee Rae Longhurst are accused of
beating a Wayland Union High School classmate on June 10 as another
student, who has not been charged, videotaped the attack.
The video was posted on the Internet shortly after school ended,
said Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller.
The attack also was caught on tape by a security camera at the
school. The victim suffered bruises, according to the police
report.
VanderLaan has been expelled, her attorney said. Longhurst has
moved out of the school district and could not be disciplined by
the school board at its Monday meeting.
The girls face one count each of aggravated assault in Allegan
County Family Court. If convicted, they face a maximum of one year
in a juvenile detention facility and a $1,000 fine.
VanderLaan and Longhurst were upset over the victim's public
displays of affection, according to the police report. The victim
told police she believes it was because of her sexual orientation.
VanderLaan's defense attorney, James Dimitriou II, says his
client is not "an anti-gay person."
Longhurst did not have an attorney on record with the court.
A pretrial hearing on the assault charges is scheduled for July
21.
