Three of the four suspects accused of tying a 15-year-old girl to a tree, then throwing eggs and beer at her, appeared in Isle of Wight Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Monday afternoon.
According to police, the incident happened at the Big Bear Family Campground in Windsor at the end of April.
The three in court Monday were Ross Renicker, Randall Miller and Loretta Miller. Margaret Allen’s case was continued.
The court hearing was a preliminary hearing for the felony charges and a trial for the misdemeanors.
The three suspects in court Monday were all found guilty of the misdemeanor charges of assault and battery. The felony charges of abduction were certified to the grand jury. The misdemeanors are being appealed.
Media was not allowed into the courtroom for the proceeding. Prosecuting attorney Steve Edwards said it was in the best interest of the 15-year-old girl at the center of the case.
“This was her first time testifying and it was best to maintain as few people in the courtroom as possible,” said Edwards.
Edwards said he couldn't go into detail about what took place, but according to court documents filed shortly after the arrests, the women facing charges admitted to what happened but said it was "all in fun."
After Monday’s court hearing, Randall Miller's attorney also told Newschannel 3, the incident was a "simple misunderstanding."
Edwards disagreed, saying “that would be an extraordinary misunderstanding.”
As for the teenage girl, it's unclear what happened to her parents or why the Millers are her legal guardians, but Edwards says she's doing ok.
“She's a neat little girl, she's tough, she'll be alright,” said Edwards.
