Teen pleads guilty to beating transgender woman at Rosedale McDonald's

[Shana A]

Teen pleads guilty to beating transgender woman at Rosedale McDonald's
Prosecutors to seek 10-year sentence, with 5 years suspended, in case that drew national notoriety

By Andrea F. Siegel, The Baltimore Sun
8:53 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2011

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-mcdonalds-beating-plea-20110804,0,1587469.story

A teenager pleaded guilty Thursday in the beating of a transgender woman at a Rosedale McDonald's, an incident that was caught on video and drew national attention after it went viral online.

Teonna Monae Brown, 19, pleaded guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court to one count of first-degree assault and one hate crime count in the April attack on Chrissy Lee Polis, 22, which became a rallying point for transgender-rights advocates across the state and nationwide.

Prosecutors will seek a prison sentence for Brown of 10 years with five years suspended, said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger. The combined maximum sentence for the crimes is 35 years.

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Woman,19, pleads guilty in videotaped McDonalds beating
10:14 AM, Aug 5, 2011

http://www.wtsp.com/news/national/article/204490/81/Woman19-pleads-guilty-in-videotaped-McDonald39s-beating

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)-Violence that went viral. The beating of a transgender woman in a Baltimore County McDonald's that was posted on the internet, helped secure a guilty plea from the defendant.

Alex DeMetrick was in the Towson courtroom and has the details.

The beating of 22-year old Chrissy Polis went on for minutes. Now the woman and teen who attacked her are both looking at years behind bars.

[Janet_Girl]

Both of them should have gotten 20 years.  That teenage should go to prison after juvie.

[spacial]

I would think MacDonalds have a duty of care to their customers. For the staff to positively encourage what was a brawl, on one individual, just for using the toilet is beyond belief. Frankly, I would have thought that in law suit hungry America, the victim and the two asailents would be sueing MacD for serious damages.

[Ann Onymous]

I would think MacDonalds have a duty of care to their customers. For the staff to positively encourage what was a brawl, on one individual, just for using the toilet is beyond belief. Frankly, I would have thought that in law suit hungry America, the victim and the two asailents would be sueing MacD for serious damages.

Distinctions are drawn every day in courtrooms between the actions of an individual employed by a company and the company itself.  The corporate office of ANY company clearly cannot prevent what has not yet occurred, and unfortunately, cannot teach common sense nor take the thug out of employees.

As far as litigation is concerned, it is not at all uncommon for pre-litigation communications to exist for several months in an attempt to reach an amicable settlement.  This is why you see A LOT of civil cases that are not filed until the day or week prior to the statute of limitations expiring...

[Alainaluvsu]

5 years is alot of time, but she deserves every day of it.

[~RoadToTrista~]

In a way I kind of feel bad for her.

[tekla]

This is why you see A LOT of civil cases that are not filed until the day or week prior to the statute of limitations expiring

Largely because lawyers hate/fear courts.  Once you go into court all bets are off.  Power is control, and court is out of your control, so the power rests in settling it before court.

[V M]

I have a feeling that this will be one of many visits Ms. Brown and her young friend will be making to the various correctional facilities

The sentences received are about what I had guessed they would be