Richmond High School Gang-Rape in California: Others Watched and Did Nothing, Say Cops

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

VIDEO COURTESY OF CBS AFFILIATE CBS 5 RICHMOND

RICHMOND, Calif. (CBS/AP) Police believe as many as a dozen people watched a 15-year-old girl get beaten and gang-raped outside Richmond High School in California at a homecoming dance without reporting it.

"She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence," Lt. Mark Gagan said. "What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening and failed to report it."

Police sources told CBS Affiliate CBS 5 that some of the bystanders laughed as the attack unfolded while others took photos with their cell phones.

The victim remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Manuel Ortega, 19, was arrested at the scene on Friday and was being held on $800,000 bail for investigation of rape and robbery. He is not a student at the school.

Richmond police Sgt. David Harris did not know if Ortega had retained an attorney.

Police said the girl left the dance and was walking to meet her father for a ride home when a classmate invited her to join a group drinking in the courtyard. The victim had drank a large amount of alcohol by the time the assault began, police said.

Officers received a tip about a possible assault on campus and found the girl semi-conscious near a picnic table.

Marin Trujillo, a spokesman for the West Contra Costa Unified School District, said there were four police officers and three school administrators monitoring the dance, but the assault happened away from the gym.

A second arrest was made late Monday. A 15-year-old student was booked on one count of sexual assault. But authorities say as many as five more men attacked the girl.

More at CBS Affiliate CBS 5

107 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 107 Comments


by Pretty_Girl_Swagg November 16, 2010 3:21 AM EST: I feel so very sorry for this girl because it was not her fault at all and if it was a classmate who invited her back there she must of trusted em. But now a days you can't trust No Nikka or No *****. you gotta watch your back because life its self is like a battlefield your fighting to stay alive. If you make it to 18 your considered lucky. I've lost so many ppl its not funny but I have also gained a lot to but not to replace the people I lost. I have a fat enough heart there is room for anyone and everyone. But you have to earn your spot. Now I can't imagine what this dear angel has been thru. I can only say I been in something similar and I know she wont be the same after this she will become a better and stronger person but it will certainly take some healings and prayers. I pray each and every night for this lamb of God for he is our Shepperd. And for the people who did this wondered out of the heard. And I pray they find God.
God bless you all.; Reply to this comment


by vtfingers1174 January 18, 2010 4:58 AM EST: The kids that did that to her are cowards and they will get there just reward in prison the people that watched in did nothing ought to be locked up with them guys for not reporting the rape. There parents and those people must not have any conscious. If I were the parent of those children that watched I would take away their cell phone and burn it than I would ground that child till he or she was 19; Reply to this comment


by katwoman55 January 3, 2010 3:03 AM EST: I am sorry. My comments are on my blogspot, but when I give the url, it brings me back here! EKKKK! So if you want to see what I wrote, I suggest to google this http://katmarkle.blogspot.com/, then go in under http://katmarkle.blogspot.com/search/label/consulting
thanks and sorry. Hope it works~; Reply to this comment


by yhoang09 November 20, 2009 12:06 PM EST: 1)where is the cops? They are paid by us!!! They should have stay until they know everyone is home or at least escort students who is alone to their ride whether they get paid more or less. So what the area is poor? Does it mean it not worth protecting? Cops' was suppose to be a primary prevention of crimes. They are suppose to take actions before crime even occur, not after! To the cops who are also parent, think about what if its your daughter who's got gang rape by strangers, I'm sure you'll regret and perhaps hate the cops/securities because THEY DONT GET PAID OVERTIME SO THEY DONT DO NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! LACK OF HUMANITY!!!!!!!!!

2)Parent of the Rapist, though it wasn't your fault, but you guys held part of the responsibilities for your child actions. If you think their action is right, you are the worse parent in the universe. Perhaps, your parents didnt raise you well enough to be a parent? If you feel sorry for your child, dont be. True, they are born is the era where they get what they want (computer, food, ipod, drink, shoes, clothes, etc.) doesn't mean if they want to rape someone, they can do it too! Alcohols is not to be blame, you as a parent are, and your child who is now known as the most hated rapist to the who United State...

3)People who just walked by the crime scene and do nothing, you best hope it wont happened to you when you or your children is in some danger situation and when you or your children is begging for help, but all they do is walk away from it. Believe or not, there's KARMA and its either gonna be on you, your family, or your next generation...; Reply to this comment

by propellerdiver November 7, 2009 1:44 PM EST

I lived in New York years ago when Kitty Genovese was murdered outside her building in Kew Gardens. It has been forty years, and I'm still sickened that people can listen to- much less see- that kind of brutality and do nothing. At that time, New Yorkers, even the nation- were sickened by that foul murder and the apathy that allowed it to go on. The young men and women of that Richmond community are the worst kind of cowards, just despicable. I'm completely ashamed of all of them that knew of this and did not step up. I'm an old man now, but I'd have died on the spot before I allowed that to pass. A coward dies a thousand deaths, a NORMAL man but one. You don't have to be a hero to do what is right, but you have to be depraved to permit that kind of savagery.

Reply to this comment


by Skamiss May 29, 2010 1:45 PM EDT: Well said.
"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."
-Abraham Lincoln


by katwoman55 November 6, 2009 6:00 PM EST: http://katmarkle.blogspot.com/

Please go to my blog answer by clicking on the link. No, I do not get paid for anything.; Reply to this comment


by Wayne Kyle November 2, 2009 12:45 PM EST: We should invite these accused up to Canada..Although we are very liberal, you find their bodies until spring, and then again maybe not even then. There is no excuse for this type of behavior, and as parent and grandparent, I would certainly exercise my right for justice, and NOT in the courts.; Reply to this comment

by detiger0321 November 1, 2009 11:51 PM EST

*** is wrong with the human race? Kids today have too many privledges, cell phones (high end and Expensive)given to them by their parents. They want 200.00 tennis shoes or Tommy Hilfiger name brand clothing, paid for by the parents. They won't work for anything, they expect it to be handed to them on a silver platter and then have the balls to ask for more. Some of these Bastards won't even take out the garbage for God's sake, they won't cook a meal when both of the parents work their ass's off to provide them with even more. They need car's when they turn 16, which the parents buy, because they are too lazy to walk. Give me a break. They are nothing but a bunch of immature,spoiled brats who think the world revolves around them.. The AH's who did this to this poor girl ought to be skinned alive with a dull knife an foot at a time every day till there is nothing left. Either that or do like they did in the dark ages, draw and quartering...................

Reply to this comment


by JaneDoe123456 November 5, 2009 8:37 PM EST: detiger0321, I'm confused as to why you think that the accused are spoiled brats who are given too much? I think you should keep in mind that they are from Richmond, which is notorious for being a poor area with lots of crime...it's safe to assume that they weren't preveliged. so your comment above doesn't apply to this case most likely. And you should be ashamed for your childish solution of promoting violence, instead of courtroom justice.


by Skamiss May 29, 2010 1:52 PM EDT: There's nothing immature about wanting justice. It's pretty apparent that our justice system is a joke and simply not a deterrent to crime. Maybe if convicted child rapists were skinned alive with a dull knife, they would think twice before committing henious crimes like this one.


by ccmail111 November 1, 2009 3:49 PM EST: I have few comments:

1) I read above some posts feel that it was girl's fault to get drunk and such. Keep in mind (a) she did say no. (b) No matter what that does not give right for others to take advantage of situation (c) It is easy to discuss and argue - but just to experience it yourself to feel it truly being gang raped !
Its just a shame that this society has people of all kinds even to come up with such ideas.. long live this world !

2) The onlookers: they were just enjoying the scene: cool, reminds me of Gladiator movie. We prove ourselves again and again what kind of society we live in and our animal instincts.
Again, just put yourself in the picture and enjoy !

3) One off incident: I ready many posts and news saying it is okay since it is just one off incident and such. True, thats why again enjoy... as long as you are not in the scene ! People who talk of such definitely are far off reality. Every small one counts and adds before its too late. You can be pro-active or just be reactive.
Enjoy the gang rape - may be make a movie or youtube or such - have fun being an audience !

4) Actions: I see the debates and discussions will go on. But no policy maker will even attempt to take this up. People (like myself too) just waste their time with these postings and such in hopes of life.

5) Examples: If there is a will, there is a way: Today the criminal laws are so relaxed that it pays to be a criminal (esp. minor) and enjoy tax payers money. Thinking positively, take for example in Arab countries, people do not dare to attempt to harm and abuse women. The laws are so strict there. On other hand, USA life is good - laws are made by men and for men !

6) Only victims take steps such as megan's law etc.: why people need to become a victim to take actions ? Why policy makers do not attempt - since they are never victims - well paid and well protected ?!

Last, unless the laws are strict, the aftermath reactive is just too late just like pouring sympathy oil on a dead body.
Life goes on, hopefully we see some true leaders and not just policy makers.
Hopefully we see some true samaritans, not just people expressing their thoughts influenced by their personal needs and situations.

Well, until then just enjoy the movie and youtube on the above gang rape .. soon to be released... !; Reply to this comment


by robinspiers October 31, 2009 1:06 PM EDT: All the people that committed this crime and all the people that watched this crime and did nothing are low life scum. Death would be too good for all of you. I hope that each of you (even you cowards that watched and did nothing) experience the exact same thing every day for the rest of your lives, and I wish you long and torturous lives.; Reply to this comment