Gloria Allred to represent videotaped beating victim

By: Janie Porter

Lakeland, Florida – The father of Victoria Lindsay, the Lakeland teen whose beating was captured on video, says the family has hired famed attorney Gloria Allred.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd released video of the beating last Monday. In it, six girls are seen screaming and punching Lindsay inside a house. During the ordeal, two other teens stood outside the house as lookouts, according to investigators.

All eight teens were arrested. Seven bonded out Friday night. The eighth bonded out overnight Sunday.

One of the suspects, Mercades Nichols, was bailed out by employees of the Dr. Phil Show. After Nichols’ release, Tampa Bay’s 10 News Reporter Melanie Brooks questioned a Dr. Phil employee's assertion that Nichols’ statements were exclusive to the Dr. Phil Show. The Dr. Phil Show is broadcast on Tampa Bay’s 10.

The Dr. Phil Show issued a statement Saturday, saying the involved staff members had been reprimanded.

The statement adds, “We have decided not to go forward with the story as our guidelines have been compromised.”

Nichols’ grandmother may have let on about possible plans to appear on the Dr. Phil Show. In an interview on Friday, she responded to a question about what she would say when her granddaughter got out of jail later that day.

“The first thing I’m gonna say is, ‘I love you,’” she said. “The second thing is, as Dr. Phil would say, ‘What were you thinking?’”

At last report, Lindsay suffered trauma to her head and was still at the hospital. When reached by phone Monday morning, Lindsay’s father declined to comment on her condition.

He only said, “She’s still my daughter, and I’m thankful for that.”

He also stated that the family will no longer be talking to the media at the request of Allred. When reached by email Monday afternoon, Allred had no comment.

“I am not confirming or denying that I represent anyone in this matter,” she added.

Related Stories:

• 04/07/08 - Teens arrested for video attack
• 04/08/08 - Classmates react: The are not bullies!
• 04/09/08 - Gag order issued in teen beating case
• 04/10/08 - Callers harass wrong family in videotaped beating case
• 04/11/08 - Teens out of jail, but not out of trouble
• 04/12/08 - Dr. Phil staff members have been reprimanded
• 04/13/08 - All teens in videotaped beating case released