Marina Lonina allegedly live-streamed her friend’s rape (Picture: AP)

A teenager has said why she broadcast her friend’s rape live on Periscope, according to prosecutors.

Marina Lonina, 18, said that she ‘got caught up in the likes’ on social media when she decided to film the alleged rape.

Woman ‘live-streamed her friend being raped on Periscope’She has pleaded not guilty to rape and kidnap along with Raymond Gates, 29, who is alleged to have carried out the attack.

The authorities learned about the alleged rape after another friend saw the images. She told police that she’d filmed the attack to help the victim.


However, prosecutor Ron O’Brien alleged that she was heard ‘giggling and laughing’.



He told WNCN TV ‘I have never seen a case such as this where you would actually live stream a sexual assault. Based on the video that I saw, it didn’t appear for the most part of it that she was attempting to help the victim.’

Her lawyer said she was trying to help the victim when she asked followers ‘What should I do now?’

Raymond Gates is alleged to have raped the 17-year-old (Picture: AP)

Lonina and the teenage victim had been drinking with Gates, 29, before he carried out the alleged sex attack in Columbus, Ohio, on February 27.

She also livestreamed naked pictures of the girl the night before, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said.

Lonina and Gates have been charged with offences including rape and kidnapping. Lonina is also charged with illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance.

Woman who live-streamed her drink driving on Periscope has been sentencedThey each face up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Lonina ‘categorically denies’ the charges, her lawyer said.

Mr O’Brien said the motive for livestreaming the alleged sex attack was unclear, but he said alcohol was a factor.

‘People need to know and understand that the use of a smartphone to video events can constitute serious felony crimes,’ he added.

‘They should think twice before they use their smartphones to either photograph or video anything that’s of a sexual nature.’