Exclusive | News & Opinion
3 adults were sentenced in an Atlanta court Friday Nov. 29, 2022 as the result of a now viral and disturbing video that surfaced online of them physically assaulting and verbally abusing a Black minor, named Tyler (Mars'Jae) as a form of punishment for being gay.
The sentencing comes over a year and a half after the video originally surfaced online (June 18, 2021) and reported as breaking news by Gaye Magazine. In the video, the 12-year-old child named Tyler - who now identifies as transgender and goes by the name Mars'Jae according to the Atlanta Special Victims Division, could be seen with a haircut spelling "Gay" in her head and being verbally and physically abused by the trio.
Lorkeyla Spencer, 19, Brittney Mills, 35; and Jordan Richards-Nwankwo, 18 who were found to be Mars'Jae's family members were arrested a month after intentionally streaming the assault on Instagram live.
Natalie L. Brunner, Senior Investigator of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Division for the Special Victims Division shared the exclusive details of the plea sentencing with Gaye Magazine.
“Jordan Richards, brother of the victim was sentenced to 5 years probation with 300 hours of community service. This was a non-negotiated plea, meaning the state and defense did not agree on the sentence so the defendant pled guilty and accepted whatever sentence the judge decided. The state’s offer was 5 years, 2 in custody and 3 on probation.”
Brunner continued, “Brittney Mills, mother of the victim, was sentenced to 5 years probation with 200 hours of community service. This was a negotiated plea as the state and defense agreed to the terms of the sentence, largely due to the fact that the victim wants to be reunited with her mom."
Lorkeyla Spencer was sentenced to 12 months probation for a misdemeanor Gaye Magazine learned.
According to Brunner, the defendants received first offender treatment so the plea documents have been sealed by the court. Official details on Mars'Jae's well-being and safety following this sentencing will be updated at a later date on behalf of Gaye Magazine.
Atlanta Fulton Police are thanking the community for helping with the process of the case and supporting Mars'Jae. A GoFundMe account for Tyler was launched by LBGTQ+ rights activist Hope Giselle and city council candidate Devin Barrington-Ward to provide the child proper resources and their other basic needs. Over $11,000 was raised in support.