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Woman sentenced to four years probation for live-streaming torture of mentally handicapped man

Woman sentenced to four years probation for live-streaming torture of mentally handicapped man
Posted at 9:00 AM, Dec 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-09 11:00:55-05

A woman who streamed herself and three friends torturing a mentally handicapped man has pleaded guilty to a hate crime and has been sentenced to four years probation.

Nineteen-year-old Brittany Covington of Chicago had been held without bail since she was arrested in January in connection with the video.

On New Year's Day, Covington went live on Facebook while her sister, Tanishia and two friends, Tesfaye Cooper and Jordan Hill, kicked a white mentally handicapped man and cut his clothing. The three also berated the man, using racial insults and invoking the name of then President-elect Donald Trump.

 

The case drew national attention, including a rebuke from then-President Obama.

The defendants described the altercation started as a "play fight" that got out of control.

As part of her probation, Covington has been told not to use social media for four years and completed 200 hours of community service.

Tanishia Covinginton, Cooper and Hill remain in custody, their charges pending.

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.