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New Images Appear To Show Early Moments Of Girl's Beating

Video released by the state attorney's office.

Six girls are accused of directly attacking a teenager, while two boys are accused of acting as lookouts.

By BILLY TOWNSEND | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 16, 2008

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Victoria Lindsay (from State Attorney’s Office)

LAKELAND - The attack on Victoria Lindsay left the 17-year-old with two swollen, black eyes and bruises over other parts of her body, according to a newly released collection of video and still images.

And the new video, highlighted by a nearly five-minute clip shot in a bedroom in the Calendar Court home where the attack occurred, appears to show the early moments of what happened.

Most of it involves a verbal confrontation between Lindsay and one of the six girls accused in the beating.

At one point, Lindsay refers to the girl as "April." One of the girls accused is April Nicole Cooper, 15. The girl in the video accuses Lindsay of online trash-talking and promiscuity and eventually rips into her with slaps and punches, as Lindsay falls back onto a bed.

Earlier accounts of the March 30 beating suggested that Lindsay banged her head against a wall and was knocked out briefly. The new video clips show no indication of that. In fact, Lindsay keeps up constant verbal communication with the girl and others off-screen, telling them to leave her alone and give her a phone so she can make arrangements to leave.

The six girls are accused of directly attacking Lindsay, while two boys are accused of acting as lookouts and not allowing her to leave. All eight suspects have been charged with kidnapping and misdemeanor battery.

The case became a sensation when it was reported that some the girls filmed the attack and planned to post it on the Internet. The Polk sheriff's office released an excerpt of the videotape of the beating, which was viewed around the world.

All eight defendants are scheduled for a status conference on May 30. No trial dates have been set.

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