Teens Released On Bond

The Florida teenagers charged with a video beating of another teen made their first appearance in Polk Circuit Court Friday. The six girls and two boys face kidnapping charges and the possibility of life in prison. Five were released on bond Friday evening, three others are waiting to be processed.

A judge set bail for each at 30-thousand dollars during their first appearance.

The state attorney's office says seven of the teens will be tried as adults. The youngest of them is 14. The eighth person is 18-years-old and is already considered an adult by state law. They face kidnapping and misdemeanor battery charges. Three also face a felony charge of witness tampering.

The judge has issued a gag order requiring everyone involved in the case to keep their mouths shut. The judge also ordered each of the defendants to stay off internet chat rooms and MySpace, YouTube and other social websites. The judge also ordered them to not talk, contact, or go near the victim's house and to stay away from Mulberry High School and school functions.

Also once out on bond, they are to consider themselves on house arrest and observe a nighttime curfew. The video has been viewed widely on national TV and the Internet.

To view the previous story about these charges Click here