Published: April 02, 2008 09:25 pm            

Teens face charges after fights posted on YouTube

SCOTT COUNTY — Fights between two teens that were videotaped and posted on YouTube are being used evidence in a case against them.

Someone contacted law enforcement after catching a glimpse of the fights on the Internet. A southern Indiana sheriff said when his investigation is over, the teens who threw the punches won't be the only ones facing charges.

"This thing is brutal. It's vicious and it could have gotten somebody seriously hurt," said Scott County Sheriff John Lizenby. "These two kids are out of control, especially the big kid. He's out of control right now."

Lizenby said after a war of words on MySpace, the teenagers arranged to have their first fight near a Scott County lake.

In the video, you can see the older teen, a 17-year-old, taking control of the fight and throwing numerous blows against a 14-year-old.

"You can see the kid, he's hurting," said Lizenby.

A few days later Lizenby said the teens arranged to fight again.

"The one kid gets beat up and that's not enough; he had to come back for more just to prove to everybody he can handle it," Lizenby said.

The second time, the blows from the 17-year-old were even more fierce.

"In the second video, he goes as far as to hit him in the head twice with brutal kicks," said Lizenby.

The sheriff said the older teen went as far as showing off the video on his MySpace account, and although it appears as if the younger teen may be a victim, they both face charges.

"He's only a victim in the fact that he was getting the worse end of the fight, but he willingly went there to fight," said the sheriff. "He went there both times to fight willingly. This fight we probably would have never known about it if it hadn't been on YouTube, so I don't think they realize they're putting evidence out there for the police."

So far, the video has had over 1,300 hits. People have posted messages saying they're glad the teens got arrested. Lizenby said he'll also charge the teens who gathered around to watch and videotape the fights.

"I think they've committed disorderly conduct at the minimum," he said.

Lizenby said he hopes the video drives home an important message to parents.

"They need to catch up on technology and learn about MySpace and YouTube and keep those computers where the family can watch them and not just the kids," he said. "That's probably the most important -- not the fight, but making parents knowledgeable about what's go on out there."

        

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