In early January, a 13-year-old Pennsylvania boy was walking home from school when he was allegedly attacked by seven of his classmates. According to police reports, the attackers, who were all between the ages of 13 and 17, kicked and dragged the boy through the snow before hanging him on a wrought-iron fence by his coat. Now the seven boys are facing multiple assault charges. Although the victim's account of the crime likely would have led to the boys' arrest, there is one factor that might contribute to a harsher sentence for the alleged offenders: one of them videotaped the attack on his cell phone.

When a security officer at Upper Darby High School heard students talking about the alleged attacks, he contacted Upper Darby Township police. Officers then began an investigation into the allegations, and ultimately came across the video recording of the attack online.

Earlier this week, all seven boys were arrested at the Opportunity Center, an Upper Darby High School alternative program which the victim also attends. They were charged with several assault crimes, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, reckless endangering of another person and conspiracy. All seven defendants face juvenile charges.

According to police superintendent Michael Chitwood, the video recording of the attacks helped police apprehend the suspects. "Bullying has always been amongst us, but these thugs videotape themselves and then go on social network sites and become heroes. The mentality is idiotic, but it helps us solve crimes," he said. "[The videotaping] changes the whole dynamic. It validates what happened."

Source: CNN, "7 teens arrested in recorded beating of bullying victim", Sarah Hoye and Ashley Hayes, 1 February 2011