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Woman gets prison time for McDonald's beating

The woman who was caught on tape beating up a transgender woman inside a Rosedale McDonald's in April will serve five years in prison.
Teonna Monae Brown
Teonna Monae Brown faces assault charges in connection with an attack against a transgender woman that was caught on video ansd posted online.AP
/ Source: WBALTV.com

The woman who was caught on tape beating up a transgender woman inside a Rosedale McDonald's in April will serve five years in prison.

Teonna Brown, 18, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison, with all but five years suspended.

Brown pleaded guilty in August to a hate crime charge and assault in the attack on 22-year-old Chrissy Polis.

The incident gained nationwide attention after an employee at the McDonald's in the 6300 block of Kenwood Avenue recorded the beating and posted it online.

In court on Tuesday, Brown asked for forgiveness and a second chance and said she wanted to apologize to the victim, but the judge said he couldn't excuse her outrageous conduct.

Polis wasn't in court for the sentencing, but a second victim, Vicky Thoms -- who was hit trying to break up the assault -- came because she wanted justice.

"I never dreamed I would see anything like that in my life -- never. It's like you were watching someone being murdered almost," Thoms said.

Polis' victim impact statement was read during the sentencing. In it, she said, "While being beaten, I felt like I was going to die that day. I was kicked in the chest, crotch and head. Chunks of my hair were pulled out. They were all over me, and I couldn't get them to stop."

Polis said she felt her identity was taken away.

"My private life has been exposed to the world. I lost my job. I can't go anywhere without the fear of getting hurt again. I want to go into a hole and hide. I do not forgive them for what they did to me," she said.

"When you watch the video from beginning to end, it's quite clear that a hate crime was the motivation," said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger. "It's important you prosecute people for the crimes that you can win on, and it was clear the motive was a hate crime. She should be convicted of that, and she was."

A 14-year-old co-defendant in the case remains in a juvenile facility. She could be there until she's 21.

At the time of the beating, Polis told police she had gotten into an argument with the suspects in the bathroom before the assault began. She said she didn't know the women.

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