Judge gets tough on kids 'who hunt humans for sport'

The mob of teens who violently tore through Center City on July 29 may have been "laughing, carrying on [and] having fun," but that's all over for the three from the group that stood Thursday in front of Family Court Judge Kevin Dougherty.

"Philadelphia will not be a laughingstock because I have individuals that decide to hunt human for sport and laugh about it," Dougherty said.

Dougherty took measures to show the three kids - and any other kids thinking about joining up with a marauding mob - that he was serious, adjudicating them delinquent after they admitted responsibility.

A 17-year old will be taken into state custody, a 16-year-old will be referred to the Glen Mills school for court-adjudicated youth, and an 11-year-old will be sent to live with his maternal grandmother and placed on GPS lockdown.

The three were just a few of an estimated two dozen involved in the July 29 attacks.

After beating a man around 15th and Market, the group continued down the street, attacking others, including a homeless man and a law student. Photos from confiscated cellphones indicated that the 16- and 17-year-old knew each other and were involved in something called the "Young Money Gang."

While none of the victims wished to speak about their experiences yesterday, a few were in court while Assistant District Attorney Leslie Gomez told their stories.

"It is something that has significantly affected their lives," she said.

Family members of each of the young boys also attended, and many attested to their relative's good character.

"He is a good man, it's just the decision that he made in his life was wrong," said the stepfather of the 16-year-old.

Raymond Gatling, 19, was also arrested with the trio, but his scheduled hearing yesterday was postponed because he just hired a new attorney, according to court records.