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Three West Memphis Teens Charged for Rape of Disabled Student

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Orlando Hamilton (Photo: West Memphis Police Dept.)

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Orlando Hamilton (Photo: West Memphis Police Dept.)

Posted by: ABC 24 Web Staff

Email: web-team@abc24.com

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Published: 3/19 10:39 am

Updated: 3/19 11:49 am

WEST MEMPHIS, AR (abc24.com) - Three teens have been charged as adults for the rape of a special needs student at West Memphis High School.

According to police records, 16-year-old Terrence Jones, 17-year-old Kenneth Bedford (aka "Lil Kenny") and 15-year-old Orlando Hamilton were all taken into custody by West Memphis police on February 22 on allegations of rape. Upon questioning, the suspects gave conflicting reports of what happened, with Jones and Hamilton both pointing the finger at the other as the person responsible for the rape; Bedford denied any sexual acts took place. All three suspects did admit to bullying the victim.

The victim told police he was going to the bathroom when the three suspects came up behind him and forced him to the ground. He said one victim held him down while a second victim raped him. Afterwards the victim went to report the incident to the principal, but told officers he was sent back to class. He called a family member after school, who then notified the police. After talking to investigators, the victim was taken to MSARC in Memphis to be tested for evidence of sexual assault.

West Memphis Police Capt. Ken Mitchell confirmed the victim is a special needs student, but would not specify the nature of his disability.

Terrence Jones, Kenneth Bedford and Orlando Hamilton are all charged as adults for rape and first degree battery, and are awaiting trail in Crittenden County Court.

Assault, Crime, rape, West Memphis

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fatherof3 - 3/21/2013 10:24 PM

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1st the teachers n principal should b charged This kid was 'd by these boy way b4 this happened. So nothing was done bout that. If we as parents stop letting the schools get away wit allowing our kids 2 get bullied, this kid of stuff wont happen. As a parent of 3, I b Damn if anybody abuse my kids n anyway. So schools need b held accountable 4 not the actions that the allow 2 go on. These 3 boys have most likely done this b4. I feel 4 all families involved. I'm mad as hell, but not just @ these 3 boys, but the system that allowed this 2 happen!

gnfergu - 3/20/2013 5:20 PM

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will their mothers still draw a check on them if they go to prison?

jd2013 - 3/19/2013 11:25 PM

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They will get a "taste of their own medicine" in that place called prison. And it won't be just once....It makes my stomach turn. Where were the wonderful teachers as the boy was raped by each of them??? They should never be returned to society for as long as they live. This was a sick act. Barbaric and primitive, like animals in the wild. I hope they get to experience the wild in all the ways they deserve it. I have ZERO mercy for any of them. I cannot imagine the humiliation and unspeakable embarrassment that their mothers feel. I would want to slit my own throat if I raised a child that behaved in this or, were they taught to behave this way? Hmm, we'll never know..

Tom Sawyer - 3/19/2013 10:12 PM

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AND ANOTHER THING, HOW IN DAGNABBIT WAS JON COLLINS ELLECTED PRINCIPAL OF THAT HIGH SCHOOL, ILL TELL YOU WHY, NOBODY WANTED THE JOB THE SCHOOLS A FAILURE THE ONLY THING GOOD ABOUT IT IS THE CAFFETERIA FOOD GOD THEY SOUL FOR PREPARING MEALS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE HOPELESS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WILL SOME HOW MAKE IT OUT THE GHETTO BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THAT. JON COLLINS WAS A SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT HIMSELF AND IF YOU LOOK AT HIM LONG ENOUGH YOU WILL DETERMINE WITHOUT REASONABLE DOUBT HE HAS A SLIGHT CASE OF DOWN SYNDROME

Tom Sawyer - 3/19/2013 9:57 PM

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WELL U GOT TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, YOUR DEALING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE A MASTERS IN FOOD-STAMP-OLOGY AND A DOCTRINE IN ANYYYYYYY GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, YEA THEY THRIVE OFF THAT,I MEAN GET TO HIGH SCHOOL AND DETERMINE A LIFE LONG GOAL OF POPPIN OUT CHILDREN JUST TO SIGN EM UP FOR FIRST OF THE MONTH CHECKS AND FOOD STAMPS, THEN COME FIRST OF THE YEAR AUCTION EM TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR TAX RETURN

sick and tired - 3/19/2013 9:39 PM

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Originally heard on the news this a.m. that the victim reported it shortly after it happened and was gaffed off until the following day...WELL I WOULD JUST BE DAMNED!!!! If this had happened to my child, I would start with the teacher, then the pricipal and would personally hang these three little bastards by their nads on the flagpole at the Memphis City School Board Facility. Oh how I wish we could in all honesty go back to the days of public hangings and show the youth of today that we mean business and will not tolerate this $H17 anymore!!!!

RealDeal - 3/19/2013 4:08 PM

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So they are not only rapists, but gays.... What an admirable group. Bet hillary will try to get them off; she will be desperate for all the votes "she" can get. (When can we expect "reverend" al to show up & protest their treatment?!)

bigjim - 3/19/2013 3:07 PM

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THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH THE ANIMALS

gnfergu - 3/19/2013 1:50 PM

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Didn't they have any pictures of them in their graduation robes?

nomercy - 3/19/2013 1:17 PM

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also food for thought - if this would have been " straight " boys who did this to a homosexual boy i am sure they would have been charged also with a hate crime, would the same not apply in reverse with these perverts ? obviously they targeted him because of his disabilty. a hate crime should definately apply.

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