Women who lashed out at Greenwich Village McDonald’s worker plead guilty in no-jail deal

Denise Darbeau and Rachel Edwards, both 25, became an Internet sensation in October when they were videotaped going over and around a counter to confront worker Rayon McIntosh

Denise Darbeau and Rachel Edwards in Manhattan Supreme Court on September 12, 2012 where they accepted a plea deal in exchange for no jail time on charges of third-degree burglary. The two were caught on video jumping the counter at a Greenwich Village McDonald's in October, after which they were beaten by employee Rayon McIntosh. McIntosh was not indicted.



Two women who were busted after being caught on video attacking a Greenwich Village McDonald's cashier last year — only to get a super-size smackdown themselves — pleaded guilty Wednesday in a no-jail deal.

Denise Darbeau and Rachel Edwards, both 25, became an Internet sensation in October when they were videotaped going over and around a counter to confront worker Rayon McIntosh as he tried to confirm the authenticity of a $50 bill.

"I'm going to cut you, I'm going to f--- you up," Darbeau screamed at Edwards as she vaulted over the counter.

She and her girlfriend chased McIntosh, who had served about a decade on a manslaughter rap, toward the deep fryer, where he’s shown on video grabbing a steel rod and beating them both repeatedly.

Even after the women were on the ground, McIntosh continued to swing, fracturing Darbeau's skull and right arm and puncturing Edwards’ arm, officials said. The cellphone video was posted to YouTube, where it was an immediate hit.

Darbeau was arrested but cleared after a grand jury heard the testimony in the case.

Both women faced up to seven years for burglary in the third degree for entering a restricted area of the eatery. But they were able to lock in a punishment-to-go deal, thanks to plea negotiations by their lawyer Harold Baker.

Darbeau pleaded guilty Wednesday and is expected to get five years probation in October when she is sentenced. Edwards also pleaded guilty and will get 10 days of community service.

"We still believe that McIntosh should have been indicted," said Baker. "There were provocative statements said to my clients by the McDonald's guys. I could see the lips of the McDonald's employee moving — and I'm sure that he wasn't offering her a Happy Meal."

He said surveillance video taken from behind the counter, which might have shown that his clients were being beaten after they posed no threat, was mysteriously unavailable.

The original cellphone footage would have been too damning to take to trial, Baker said.

"Because of the nature of the evidence in the case, the risk of going to trial would have been too great," he said.

Both women have recovered from their injuries, but they are no longer a couple.

"They are on good terms, but they are not in a romantic relationship anymore," Baker said.