Marina Lonina, 18, was charged with kidnapping, rape, sexual battery and breaking child pornography laws, the same charges facing Raymond Gates, 29, who allegedly committed the assault.
Both have pleaded not guilty.
Sam Shamansky, Lonina's lawyer, said the pair met Gates the day before the attack, when he bought them vodka and encouraged them to meet him. They had been drinking at his home when Gates allegedly began to assault the victim. Lonina used her phone to broadcast a video live on the Periscope app. Shamansky said Lonina had tried "at various times" to stop the attack.
Ron O'Brien, a county prosecutor, said in court Lonina started filming in the hope of putting a stop to the crime, but continued as more users began to tune in.
"I have never seen a case such as this where you would actually livestream a sexual assault," he said.
"It didn't appear she was attempting to help the victim.
"She got caught up in the likes," he added. He said the victim can be heard screaming "no" and "stop".
A friend of Lonina's saw the recording and contacted police.
Shamansky described his client as a victim. He said at one point she asked followers: "What should I do now?"
"She's a good kid," said Shamansky. "She's the furthest thing from a rapist . The rapist was in court and it was not my client. Technology has moved us into an area that is sometimes beyond belief," he said.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
