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2 More Teens Given Probation In Polk Video Beating

News Channel 8 photo by CHIP OSOWSKI

April Cooper was sentenced to two years probation for her role in the beating of a Polk County teenager.

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By CHIP OSOWSKI | News Channel 8

Published: March 11, 2009

Two girls charged in the videotaped beating of a Polk County teen were sentenced to probation this morning.

April Cooper was 14 and Kayla Hassell was 15 when they participated in the March 30, 2008, attack on Victoria Lindsay and recorded the beating on video.

The judge sentenced Cooper to two years of probation and Hassell to one year of probation. Both teenagers had to write letters of apology to Lindsay, which Cooper had already done. She read it out loud during this morning's sentencing hearing.

The judge also ordered several restrictions, including not contacting Lindsay or her family; not talking to the media for profit; and not creating any MySpace, Facebook or YouTube accounts. The teenagers, along with their co-defendants, must also pay the victim's family $1,752.35. The purpose of the money was not specified.

Cooper and Hassell were arrested in April along with Mercades Nichols, Britney Mayes and Brittini Hardcastle and charged in the videotaped beating. Charges against two boys were dropped.

Nichols, 17 at the time of attack, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to three years of probation. She also was ordered to do 100 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and pay restitution.

Mayes, also 17 during the attack, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to one year of probation. She also has to serve 50 hours of community service within the first six months of her probation and write Lindsay a letter of apology.

Hardcastle, 17, has also accepted a plea deal and will be sentenced March 20.

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