The nation is outraged after a viral courtroom video showed four teenagers laughing and dancing while facing charges for the brutal killing of 73-year-old grandmother Linda Frickey — a woman remembered by neighbors as kind, gentle, and full of love.
The horrific crime unfolded in New Orleans in March 2022, when Linda was sitting in her parked car taking a phone call. According to witnesses, the teenagers — ranging in age from 15 to 17 — sprayed her face with pepper spray, yanked open her car door, and tried to steal the vehicle.
Despite her pleading and handing over her wallet, they dragged her from the driver’s seat while her seatbelt was still fastened. The belt caught around her body, and the car sped off — dragging her for more than a block.
Witnesses said Linda’s screams echoed through the neighborhood. Her arm was severed, and she died at the scene.
But what came next shocked the public even more.
When the four suspects appeared in court, witnesses say they laughed, whispered, and even danced, showing little sign of remorse. One courtroom observer described it as “a nightmare — like they didn’t understand or care what they had done.”
The footage ignited a fierce debate online and in legal circles about juvenile crime and accountability.
At first, their young ages meant they could have faced only a few years behind bars — but due to the extreme brutality of the crime, prosecutors pushed for them to be tried as adults.
And that’s exactly what happened.
All four teens were charged as adults with second-degree murder. In later proceedings:
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Three teenage girls accepted plea deals for attempted manslaughter and received 20-year prison sentences.
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The fourth suspect, believed to be the driver, was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, with a chance of parole after 25 years.
For Linda’s family, no punishment will ever bring her back — but they hope her death sparks change in how violent juvenile offenders are treated.
“She didn’t deserve this,” her sister said through tears. “And the fact they laughed — that’s what breaks us the most.”
The case continues to raise one haunting question:
If children can commit such acts without remorse — should they still be treated as children?