Richmond High School Gang-Rape: Suspects Wear Bulletproof Vests at California Arraignment

By: Ryan Smith
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP Photo )

Photo: Two students walk next to a sign about violence at Richmond High School in Richmond, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009.

RICHMOND, Calif. (CBS/AP) They were wearing bulletproof vests and flanked by deputies.

Quite a change for suspects Cody Ray Smith, 15, Ari Abdallah Morales, 16, and Marcelles James Peter, 17, who all now face charges in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside her northern California high school's homecoming dance.

They were arraigned in Contra Costa County Superior Court Thursday, and charged as adults because of the severity of the crime, said prosecutor Dana Cashman.

They could face life in prison.

Smith pleaded not guilty, while Morales and Peter did not enter a plea. 19-year-old Manuel Ortega was arraigned separately and also entered no plea.

Another suspect, Salvador Rodriguez, 21, also remained jailed but has not been charged.

Police say as many as ten people ranging in age from 15 to their mid-20s attacked the girl for more than two hours at a dimly lit area Saturday night.

(AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The picnic area at Richmond High School in Richmond, Calif. where police said a 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped and beaten.

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

Compounding the vicious attack, Richmond, Calif. police say nearly two dozen people saw the rape without reporting it.

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

The victim was released from a hospital Wednesday.

Suspects Smith, Morales and Peter were each charged with rape-in-concert and sexual penetration with a foreign object, along with special circumstances that could make them eligible for a life sentence.

Police said they're still looking for more suspects in the Saturday night attack. They're hoping a $20,000 reward will help flush out more information.

MORE ON CRMESIDER
October 29, 2009 - Richmond High School Gang-Rape: 4 Teens Charged Could Face Life in Prison
October 28, 2009 - Richmond High School Gang Rape: Three More Arrests in Homecoming Attack
October 27, 2009 - Richmond High School Gang-Rape in California: Others Watched and Did Nothing, Say Cops

More at CBS Affiliate CBS 5

58 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 58 Comments


by essbie59 May 30, 2010 1:27 PM EDT: Does anyone know how the victim of this rape is doing? It has bothered me ever since I first heard the story. I think it would be very difficult to get past this.; Reply to this comment


by IcepickAM3 November 21, 2009 4:10 PM EST: I would be wonderful to have more education that focuses on understanding and empathizing with other people. If we do that, I think we'll have much less of this kind of terrible violence.

Of course, I also have an emotional reaction to this - first fear and feeling upset, then anger. I'd be lying if I denied having a desire to see the perpetrators executed in front of the student body.

Still, decisions must be made with compassion, and an understanding of the full situation. I hope everyone is dealing with this terrible incident skillfully.; Reply to this comment

by stayAU November 1, 2009 10:01 PM EST

Think about what you just said. Is our society less violent than the past because we did use the death penalty? If you get rid of people who have violent sociopathic tendencies you get rid of violence and you no longer have a people that may become violent as a result of the victimization of that offender. I am against rape in prison I think prison should be held up to the same moral standards as society on the outside. Sociopathy is not a moral weakness of the spirit. Something is missing in their brain and there is no cure. No amount of praying, rehab, or church is going to change them. They get out and reoffend. The only problem with the death penalty is if they are innocent. I don't think there are many doubts who the offenders are in this crime. If these young psycho paths get out of prison, they will re offend. May be not rape but maybe murder or maybe rape and murder. Phxfire you obviously have not been a victim of a psychopath.

Reply to this comment


by robzm19 November 2, 2009 8:27 AM EST: Using the death penalty isnt the issue. Sociological studies show the safest states in the us have outlawed the death penalty. The next safest states have used it minimally. The most dangerous states have used it often, pretty interesting isn't it.


by stayAU November 1, 2009 6:58 PM EST: WHO IS TALKING ABOUT THIS GIRL BEING INTOXICATED! You should be able to walk down the street NUDE! and a PROSTIUTE and this kinda thing not happen! THIS IS the United States! NOT SAUDI ARABIA, AFRICA, OR SAN SALVADOR! You know what the CHEROKEE USE TO DO TO PEOPLE WHO RAPED CHILDREN AND WOMEN! PUSH them off a cliff like the one in Yosemite!; Reply to this comment


by stayAU November 1, 2009 6:50 PM EST: WHO IS TALKING ABOUT THIS GIRL BEING INTOXICATED! You should be able to walk down the street NUDE! and a PROSTIUTE and this kinda thing not happen! THIS IS AMERICA NOT SAUDI ARABIA, AFRICA, OR SAN SALVADOR! You know what the CHEROKEE USE TO DO TO PEOPLE WHO RAPED CHILDREN AND WOMEN! PUSH them off a cliff like the one Yosemite!; Reply to this comment

by Virgil-1 November 1, 2009 2:47 PM EST

If there's nothing wrong with rape,why are they wearing bulletproof
vests and flanked by deputies?(sarcasm)!Theres got to be a Psychologist somewhere that has the answer as to why these poor
defenceless victims of society be given some sort of pill and let go.(more sarcasm)!!!

Reply to this comment


by askagain November 1, 2009 3:44 PM EST: The bullet proof vests and police next to them has nothing to do with rape not being wrong. The guys have been arrested and precautions must be taken by the authorities. Presumably, the authorities don't want anything to happen to these guys under their watch. This would not imply a crime is okay.

by debinok1 November 1, 2009 1:50 PM EST

Welcome to the world we live in. Special thanks to Child Protective Services for denying a parent the right to swat their child for acting out or throwing a fit when they did not get their way. These young adults are the direct result of the Government/State having more control over how a child is disciplined than the parents do. Discipline is not abuse, it should not be lumped into the same category. A child must be taught right from wrong at an early age, discipline is part of that. Put corporal punishment back in the homes and back in the schools, the children who grew up without it are showing us how badly they needed it.

Reply to this comment


by mygirl24 November 1, 2009 4:59 PM EST: You should avoid blaming Child Protective Services for your lack of parenting skills :)


by Phxfire November 1, 2009 1:42 PM EST: In my opinion, the biggest monsters in this case are the parents of the attackers and the watchers who did nothing to stop or even report the attack. Second, the laughable security. What kind of parent role models did any of this kids have that left them so numb to violence?; Reply to this comment

by askagain November 1, 2009 12:26 PM EST

sandy19731 - Good point. If the girl had used better judgment and discretion, the rape may never have happened. Having said that, no one has a right to violate another person. These violators are not tots. Why weren't they taught to keep their hands to themselves? We can not expect everyone to be brilliant, but this concept is rather basic and doesn't require much intelligence. In cases such as this one, we need to bring back the practice of "hard labor" so violators can at least pay for their incarceration. One thing we know, they will receive free health care at the expense of our society.

Reply to this comment


by Phxfire November 1, 2009 1:40 PM EST: Judgment and discretion comes with age and maturity, this girl had not reached that level so to even hint that she was in some way at fault is obscene.


by askagain November 1, 2009 3:41 PM EST: Phxfire - Read my post. I never blamed the girl but simply stated something that should be obvious to a reasonable person. People often unwittingly put themselves in danger. An underage person drinking with strangers is a good example. Combine a group of young people, a dark night, and irresponsible drinking and you have the potential for disaster. There is no doubt that the boys should known better and act differently, If this was rape, these guys were at fault and had no right to violate another person. Comprehend what you are reading before you jump.


by 6591Hou November 1, 2009 10:56 AM EST: When our society and culture do not support moral conduct, respect, but instead glorifies personal gratification, wealth, then we end up with our children feeling that if it feels good then they should do it, if they want something then they should get it, and if it feels good and they want it then they should take it.

Being capable of bearing children does not equate to being a parent, to properly raise a child you have to have an interest in influencing their moral compass and expanding their intellectual capabilities. Moral compasses are what enables the child to know right from wrong and to steer their lives.

The Victorians treated their children like little adults, seen but not heard etc. They didn't want to be entangled with dealing with them. We drop our kids off at functions, practices, malls, etc. to let them go do what they want to go do so that we can do what we want to go do - there is no parenting in that.

Pandering to the lower appetites of the masses ensures that music, video games, television, and the internet will be packed with pornography, violence, and drugs - until our society recognizes the effects of that flood on our culture and the need to control it, we will continue to hear sad stories like this - shake our heads - and continue on without changing anything or preventing it from happening again.; Reply to this comment