Reported by: Danielle Dubetz UPDATED
Photographer: Tom Special
A
fourth teen, indicted in connection with the brutal gang rape at West Palm's Dunbar Village failed to make his first appearance before a judge Friday.
Although Tommy Poindexter didn't show up for court, his mother and family were eager to come to his defense before the public.
"You know it just hurt me so bad. He's 18 years old and they're looking at a life sentence," says Harriet Poindexter, Tommy's mother.
Investigators say her son, 18 year old Tommy Poindexter has been linked to the brutal rape at Dunbar Village through physical evidence.
"I'm a mother. I don't believe my son would do something like that. My son wouldn't do nothing like that. I don't believe that," says Harriet.
He faces the same charges as 15 year old Jakaris Taylor, 16 year old Nathan Walker and 14 year old Avion Lawson.
Poindexter's family maintains his innocence.
"He's a great kid, a good hearted person and I don't think he could ever do anything like that," says Harriet's fiancé, Joseph Trowell.
"Yeah he had a bad childhood but half of the blacks in our community had a bad childhood. They're trying to make him out to be a monster and he's not. It's unfair, it's very unfair and I'm going to stand behind him 100% because I know my brother didn't do it," says Ionique Rogers, Tommy's sister.
Tommy's mother says her previous cocaine addiction contributed to his rocky childhood and continued through adulthood.
"My son he's already depressed. He's already depressed anyway so that's probably why he didn't come down," says Harriet.
Poindexter was supposed to appear before a judge Friday morning but he complained of a stomach ache and the appearance was rescheduled.
Poindexter's mother says she'd watched news of the Dunbar rape with her son. He'd told her he thought it was "disgusting." It's difficult for her to come to grips with how he could be accused of taking part in such a heinous crime.
"That's my baby boy. I can't believe that. I can't believe it," she said crying.
Tommy Poindexter is scheduled to appear before a judge at 9 Saturday morning.
Reported by: WPTV Staff
A fourth teen has been charged in the alleged gang rape of a woman and her 12-year-old son in a West Palm Beach housing project.
Eighteen-year-old Tommy Lee Poindexter was indicted yesterday on charges of sexual battery, kidnapping, burglary and other charges.
Three other teens -- ages 14, 15 and 16 -- were indicted last month and face possible life in adult prison if convicted of similar charges.
The teens were among an armed group that allegedly held the woman and boy hostage, repeatedly raping the mother, beating both of them and at one point forcing her to perform oral sex on her son.
Investigators say as many as ten assailants were involved in the June 18th attack in the Dunbar Village housing project, and more arrests are possible.
RELATED STORIES:
Third teen suspect in Dunbar Village held without bond - WPTV ...
He is accused of taking part in the gang rape and assault of a Dunbar Village mother
and her young son. ... Third teen suspect in Dunbar Village held without bond. ...
Fund established to help Dunbar rape victim - WPTV NewsChannel 5
Print this Story. Jul 9, 2007 5:43 AM. Fund established to help Dunbar rape
victim. Reported By: WPTV Staff. A fund has been set up ...
Some say Dunbar benefits from mentors - WPTV NewsChannel 5
The rape at Dunbar Village brought a lot of negative attention on the neighborhood. ...
Print this Story. Jul 25, 2007 4:53 PM. Some say Dunbar benefits from mentors ...
"Dunbar Village investigation still a priority" - WPTV NewsChannel ...
... "Dunbar Village investigation still a priority". ... West Palm police say they're still
working Dunbar's sexual assault case with the highest priority. ...
Plans to bulldoze Dunbar Village are speeding up - WPTV ...
Less than two months since the gang rape in Dunbar Village, housing officials
are speeding up plans to bulldoze the neighborhood. ...
Dunbar Village needs to cool off - WPTV NewsChannel 5
Print this Story. Aug 2, 2007 4:57 AM. Dunbar Village needs to cool off. ... No one in
Dunbar Village has central air, and so some residents don't have any AC at all ...
No bond set for teens accused of raping a Dunbar Village mother ...
Jul 19, 2007 8:17 PM. No bond set for teens accused of raping a Dunbar Village mother. ...
Jul 4, 2007 4:30 PM. Dunbar Village waits for more arrests. ... ...
15-year old rape victim friends with Dunbar Village victim - WPTV ...
The girl was raped at knifepoint exactly one month after the Dunbar Village attack. ...
15-year old rape victim friends with Dunbar Village victim. ...
