Gang Rape Victim Is Church-Going Honor Student

Friend calls victim of brutal assault a devout Christian honor student.

ByABC News
October 27, 2009, 10:37 AM

Oct. 29, 2009— -- The victim of last weekend's brutal gang rape at her homecoming dance was a devout Christian who attended church three times a week and whose friends say had been looking forward to the homecoming dance for weeks.

Kami Baker, one of the victim's close friends, said the girl came to the dance Saturday evening clad in a sparkling purple gown, diamond necklace and matching silver shoes.

"When we walked in the dance together she said, 'I can't wait to get my dance on!'" Baker,16, told ABCNews.com.

But what began as a night the teen girls were looking forward to at Richmond High School outside San Francisco, soon became a nightmare, when the 15-year-old became victim to a horrific two-and-a-half hour gang rape in a dark corner of the school grounds.

The area the rape occurred was described by Baker as a "secluded area" that is known for being a place where couples congregate to get "privacy."

"She was perfectly sober at the dance," said Baker, who saw the victim just 15 minutes before she left the dance. "She was bubbly, and kept saying how happy she was to be at the dance."

Baker said that the victim had many close friends who weren't able to attend the dance because of the $10 admission fee. She described her friend as an outgoing student who was enrolled in an honors English class.

She had a long distance boyfriend, according to Baker, and although she had always wanted to join the school's photography club, her parents didn't like her to stay after school and her church commitment took up much of her time.

Four teens charged in the assault appeared in court today, but only the youngest of the suspects, a 15-year-old student at the school, entered a plea. He pleaded not guilty.