In A Handbasket

I was overcome with a feeling of revulsion when i read the little clip in the KC Star:

Around a dozen individuals watched as a girl was raped and beaten by outside a homecoming dance.
"The crowd of students who watched and may have even recorded a two-and-a-half hour gang rape of a California teenager should be held criminally liable for indirectly encouraging the attack, experts told ABC News today. The outrage over the gang rape of the 15-year-old girl outside Richmond High School's homecoming dance is equalled by the fury that so many stood by and watched, and may have encouraged the attackers by their actions or their words." says one report.

I asked a student to see what she could find about this. Here is what she sent:
"This community is really screwed up. The high school has had 19 students murdered in the last year and it sounds like the school administration are trying to avoid any kind of responsibility. "
Gang rape raises questions about bystanders' role http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/28/california.gang.rape.bystander/

Friend of Richmond, California, gang rape suspect tells what happened on night of attack

http://www.examiner.com/x-27745-SF-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Friend-of-Richmond-California-gang-rape-suspect-tells-what-happened-on-night-of-attack

Richmond rape reaction: Residents pray, light candles and vent their anger http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13651989

Can Prosecutors Charge Gang Rape Witnesses for Doing Nothing?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/prosecutors-charge-calif-gange-rape-witnesses/Story?id=8937370&page=1

Five people now under arrest for Richmond, California, gang rape (video)
http://www.examiner.com/x-27745-SF-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Five-people-under-arrest-for-Richmond-California-gang-rape


Police Look for More Suspects in Gang Rape
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/27/eveningnews/main5427346.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

3 arrested in Calif. in alleged gang rape of girl
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h00xc9pigMisvuJ08uARa2FR8gQgD9BK6P300

Prosecutor About to Decide on Charges for 5 in Gang Rape
http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/police-arrest-richmond-california-gang-rape/Story?id=8935918&page=1