Teenage gang charged under lynching law after 'savage attack on 18-year-old student'

South Carolina prosecutors have charged the boys with second-degree assault and battery by mob, a crime which until last year was known as lynching.

The eight members of the gang, the youngest of whom is just 13, allegedly set upon Carter Strange in a parking lot as he jogged back  to his home in Columbia.

 

Brutal assault: Carter Strange was left so badly beaten his mother almost didn't recognise him when she saw him lying on the hospital bed

They allegedly turned themselves in after surveillance footage of the gang roaming the streets in the area was released on local television.

The savage attack left Carter so badly injured his mother, Vicki, almost didn't recognise him when she saw him lying on his hospital bed.

She said: 'I literally bent over him; I recognised his hand and his hair, and I said "that's my son".'

He was left with a broken nose and a broken eye socket, and doctors had to operate to remove a blood clot.

Mrs Strange arrived in court on Friday with her husband, John, to watch as the eldest of the gang, 19-year-old Thyeem Henrey, was charged with second-degree assault and battery by mob, common law robbery, and criminal conspiracy.

A 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 16-year-old appeared in juvenile court to be charged with strong arm robbery, second-degree assault and battery by a mob, and criminal conspiracy.

A 13-year-old and three other 16-year-olds were charged with criminal conspiracy. They are all too young to be named.