Missouri, St. Louis - Teenage girl critically injured after brutal fight with another female teen near Hazelwood East High School, 8 March 2024

[Ladyotm]

Actions do have consequences. The same could be said for the girl who came out of her way to fight and threw the first punch.
You can never predict someone else's behaviour, maybe even MD couldn't predict her own behaviour, I don't believe she was attempting to kill Kaylee, and I certainly don't think she planned it.

Waiting on all the facts as I feel there is so much more to this story. And someone probably has a full video of the entire incident.

 

[SteveP]

Waiting on all the facts as I feel there is so much more to this story. And someone probably has a full video of the entire incident.

I completely agree. On the video that was released, if you look carefully, you can see at least one other person filming the action, and there were likely others as well. And as I stated in an earlier post, no way that brawl "just happened". I am pretty sure there is a LOT more to this story. JMO

 

[SteveP]

Not sure how Missouri law addresses self defence, but in most instances, the degree of force used must be proportional to the degree of threat. Regardless of the instigation, people can be punched and walk away and report it.

It has been reported that there are two rival groups at the high school, and a fight took place between two girls, one of which was KG, the day before the brawl that left her critically injured. It has been suggested that the brawl was perhaps a continuation of that fight, and it has been reported that the accused teen was a friend of the girl that KG was fighting with the previous day. Given that likely scenario, I just do not believe it is realistic to expect any teen in her place to just take a punch, walk away and report it. I'm not sure that she would have been allowed to just walk away, as there were several other teens there, apparently from the rival groups, and even if she had, I think that would probably only further escalate the friction between the two groups. When one is perceived to be weak or a squealer, they get a target on their back. MD probably felt that she had to fight, but sadly, she took it way too far, and now, two young lives will probably never be the same again. JMO

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Not sure how Missouri law addresses self defence, but in most instances, the degree of force used must be proportional to the degree of threat. Regardless of the instigation, people can be punched and walk away and report it.

They can, although in an instance like this I would say its highly unlikely that if MD had remained passive she would have been allowed to walk away unhindered, but that's JMO, maybe there had been plenty of times when she had walked away? Maybe not.

I don't think she has a chance of a claiming self defence, it looked very much like an organised gathering, neither girl was jumped out of nowhere, and I'm sure LE will have plenty of social media messages to help get to the truth of that, but whatever the reason for the possibly planned altercation, once MD went as far as she did it was assault and possibly worse charges, but I don't understand US charges too well. Here in the UK it would possibly be Grievous bodily harm, and if Kaylee had died then manslaughter, but that's just a guess.

All just MOO.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

It has been reported that there are two rival groups at the high school, and a fight took place between two girls, one of which was KG, the day before the brawl that left her critically injured. It has been suggested that the brawl was perhaps a continuation of that fight, and it has been reported that the accused teen was a friend of the girl that KG was fighting with the previous day. Given that likely scenario, I just do not believe it is likely that anyone in her place would just take a punch, walk away and report it. I'm not sure that she would have been allowed to just walk away, as there were several other teens there, apparently from the rival groups, and even if she had, I think that would probably only further escalate the friction between the two groups. When one is perceived to be weak or a squealer, it is likely just a matter of time before someone else decides to fight them JMO

You must have posted as I was typing @SteveP!

 

[Sillybilly]

It has been reported that there are two rival groups at the high school, and a fight took place between two girls, one of which was KG, the day before the brawl that left her critically injured. It has been suggested that the brawl was perhaps a continuation of that fight, and it has been reported that the accused teen was a friend of the girl that KG was fighting with the previous day. Given that likely scenario, I just do not believe it is realistic to expect any teen in her place to just take a punch, walk away and report it. I'm not sure that she would have been allowed to just walk away, as there were several other teens there, apparently from the rival groups, and even if she had, I think that would probably only further escalate the friction between the two groups. When one is perceived to be weak or a squealer, they get a target on their back. MD probably felt that she had to fight, but sadly, she took it way too far, and now, two young lives will probably never be the same again. JMO

I understand the circumstances and the varied opinions about it, but I am considering how it may be addressed from a legal standpoint. Our opinions vs how the law interprets it according to specific legislation may well be at odds.

While there are some mitigating circumstances that will likely be presented from a defence perspective, when measured against an immediate assault having such egregious results, I just feel it may not be of much help to an accused in a court of law.

JMO

 

[Chimera]

Kaylee Gain, 16, 'does not know why she is in hospital'

Missouri teen Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is there - as her lawyers are forced to admit posts made by her alleged attacker were fake.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Missouri schoolgirl Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is in the hospital.
A lawyer for her family revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.

Just sad.
We knew it was bad but it's sounding even worse; is KG going to be able to live a normal life, ever ?
What is her quality of life going to be ?
Omo.

 

[tlcya]

Kaylee Gain, 16, 'does not know why she is in hospital'

Missouri teen Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is there - as her lawyers are forced to admit posts made by her alleged attacker were fake.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Missouri schoolgirl Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is in the hospital.
A lawyer for her family revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.

Just sad.
We knew it was bad but it's sounding even worse; is KG going to be able to live a normal life, ever ?
What is her quality of life going to be ?
Omo.

her recovery will be a long one. We won't know if she will recover fully for a long long while. Brain injuries are tricky like that. She may recover fully but that could take months and months. She may recover mostly, but never remember that day. She may suffer lifelong after affects from her Traumatic Brain Injury, including but not limited to the following:

Headaches
Nausea
Vertigo (dizziness) and issues with balance, fine, and gross motor skills
Problems with thinking that require visualization, such as memory loss, inability to concentrate, confusion, aphasia and other language processing difficulties, such as difficulty with word recall, losing train of thought and problems reading or writing
Sensory overload
Visual problems: blurred vision, abnormal eye movements, poor eye coordination,
Light sensitivity and difficulties in judging distance, loss of depth perception
Auditory processing issues of visualizing the location of a sound source

Or she may suffer none and make a full recovery. I wish her well. Life is long. It would be very sad indeed if KG's entire future is changed forever by one day's events.

 

[tlcya]

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The teen girl charged in the now viral fight between two Hazelwood East High School students faced a judge on Monday.

The hearing in a St. Louis County courtroom was over in a matter of minutes but it is the first step in the process where the judge will ultimately decide if the case will stay in the juvenile courts. Only lawyers and immediate family were allowed in the courtroom. Reporters and anyone else who wanted to attend watched a video feed from another room, where no phones, computers or smartwatches were allowed.
Teen girl charged in Kaylee Gain fight has first court hearing

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Kaylee Gain, 16, 'does not know why she is in hospital'

Missouri teen Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is there - as her lawyers are forced to admit posts made by her alleged attacker were fake.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Missouri schoolgirl Kaylee Gain is able to hold 'limited conversations' but is unable to understand why she is in the hospital.
A lawyer for her family revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.

Just sad.
We knew it was bad but it's sounding even worse; is KG going to be able to live a normal life, ever ?
What is her quality of life going to be ?
Omo.

She has made some great progress in a very short time, I think everybody was braced for the worst and that she wouldn't make it.

The brain is an amazing organ and surprises us constantly.

Many years ago my stepbrother was in an RTA, he was in the back of a van with no seat belt on and was propelled right through the windscreen. He had horrific injuries and they said he wouldn't make it and if by some miracle he did, he would be in a vegetative state and have no quality of life, it was as dire as it gets.

He made an almost total recovery, leads a full and active life.
He does suffer residual effects and has a more apparent anger management problem, but that was in his character to begin with, but his recovery and the way his brain repaired itself is remarkable.

I am hopeful Kaylee will recover enough to lead a full life in time, all anyone can do is wait and hope for the best outcome.

JMO.

 

[mickey2942]

I remember reading about a case, a man had a brain injury, after an altercation, and died several years later, due to complications from the brain injury, then the perpetrator was charged with murder at that time.

So, even though the victim is alive, this definitely isn't over.

 

[Eli9]

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The teen girl charged in the now viral fight between two Hazelwood East High School students faced a judge on Monday.

The hearing in a St. Louis County courtroom was over in a matter of minutes but it is the first step in the process where the judge will ultimately decide if the case will stay in the juvenile courts. Only lawyers and immediate family were allowed in the courtroom. Reporters and anyone else who wanted to attend watched a video feed from another room, where no phones, computers or smartwatches were allowed.
Teen girl charged in Kaylee Gain fight has first court hearing

There is a classy statement from KG's family at your link. Anyone know how to bring it here? TIA

 

[tlcya]

There is a classy statement from KG's family at your link. Anyone know how to bring it here? TIA

here it is

 

[LondonBloke]

dbm

 

[Eli9]

Thanks @tlcya

 

[LaborDayRN]

Teenage brains. Teenage brains led to this. And it went way too far.

I heard a psychologist once discribe it (teenage brains) as pedal to the metal with the brakes on backorder!

 

[cujenn81]

here it is

They are certainly more gracious folk than I.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I completely agree. On the video that was released, if you look carefully, you can see at least one other person filming the action, and there were likely others as well. And as I stated in an earlier post, no way that brawl "just happened". I am pretty sure there is a LOT more to this story. JMO

I've seen other videos of these off (and on) campus school fights and there are usually multiple students filming......

 

[al66pine]

Teenage Brains?

I heard a psychologist once discribe it (teenage brains) as pedal to the metal with the brakes on backorder!

@LaborDayRN
As a teen (waaaaaaaaaaaay back when), doubt if I would have agreed w this description.
These days, seems totally accurate w these young whippersnappers.
jmo

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Teenage Brains?

@LaborDayRN
As a teen (waaaaaaaaaaaay back when), doubt if I would have agreed w this description.
These days, seems totally accurate w these young whippersnappers.
jmo

Ha, what's that saying? Hire a teenager whilst they still know everything?