Police have arrested six people so far for the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside the Richmond, Calif., high school homecoming dance. As many as two dozen people reportedly watched the assault—some laughing and joking—but didn't call police. Should the bystanders be punished, too?
The onlookers should go to jail—but won't: It should be a crime to stand idly by while a 15-year-old girl is beaten and raped, says blogger Matthew Yglesias. But it's not—California law only holds witnesses accountable for failing to report a crime if the victim is 14 or younger. "In other words, in this case those who stood by and did nothing cannot prosecuted."
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