Trial begins against four who girl says raped her

LARGO -- Prosecutors call her a passive teenager with mental disabilities who was coaxed into a car and ultimately was gang-raped.

But defense lawyers paint a picture of a manipulative girl who conned police into believing she was assaulted.

The trial of four St. Petersburg men accused of the rape of a 17-year-old girl got under way Wednesday in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.

Much of the opening statements and arguments over motions suggested that the defendants, one of whom is the son of St. Petersburg police Lt. Donnie Williams, plan to attack the character of the girl, whose name is being withheld by the Times because of the nature of the crime.

Questions put to Circuit Judge Nelly Khouzam suggest defense lawyers will attempt to prove the girl previously had sexual relations and lied because she feared getting into trouble.

John Swisher, an attorney for one of the defendants, said he would present witnesses who will testify they saw the girl in the car smiling and waving.

But Assistant State Attorney William Burgess said the girl was plucked from the street Oct. 30, 2000, as she walked home from her school bus stop. She cried and repeatedly said she wanted to go home as she was raped for more than 90 minutes, he said.

"While they're doing it, they're laughing and she's crying," Burgess said.

Charged with sexual battery are Majik Marques Bell, 18; Lavon Fuller, 20; Andrew Williams, 19; and Donnie D. Williams Jr., 21, son of the St. Petersburg police officer.

Testimony should continue today.

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