That's just disgusting. How do kids get to be that bad, so young? They are obviously sadistic, because they could have robbed an elderly man like that without beating him.

I know of a 16 year old male who recently lured a mentally handicapped man and kept him in an apartment for three weeks. He had three other accomplices and they beat and sadistically tortured their victim for three weeks. The victim almost died, and the kid is cavalier about it.

I think it's unlikely that people who commit such crimes can ever be rehabilitated.

This is awful! It makes me very angry, also. I just can't understand how people can be this mean. It's one thing to want to rob, but to hurt an innocent person just is horrible. My heart goes out to this poor old man and his family.

This makes me mad too and just sick to my stomach that teens are this evil. Yes, evil. What gives them the right to lay a hand on another person like this? How would they like to be beat and tortured like this. I think someone should show them how it feels! I have no pity or compassion for "kids" like that. If they are old enough to do the crime they are old enough to do the time. Be it prison for life with no parole or just put them to death. The teens are not victims. They knew exactly what they were doing and enjoyed doing it.

Deb

We had a teenager in our news area who killed an elderly woman about a month ago, apparently just to take her car for a joyride. There has to be a special place in hell for criminals who target the elderly.

Here is a link that might be useful: elderly woman murdered

Cynic, I can't read the article you posted. I know it would give me nightmares. I agree with everyone though; there's no punishment too bad for the people that attacked and tortured these people.

Long ago, when I was 21, green as willow twig, and weighed maybe 100 lbs., I worked the midnight shift in a convenience store in Jacksonville, AR. I was robbed at gunpoint one night by two young "men." They got $32 from the till, and beat me black and blue with the gun.

I did not hesitate to give them the money. I told them they could take the entire store. They had no reason to beat me up; the one guy was simply getting off on pulverizing a smaller, defensless person.

I'm sure these monsters have the same mentality as the men who robbed me. It was beyond horrible to beat up and rob a young person. I think it's 100 times worse to attack the elderly or handicapped.

Personally. I think kids like these should be taken out and killed. I'm not in the least bit interested in rehabilitation, (if there is such a thing, I doubt it) If these monsters are this so lacking in caring and empathy, and don't see what is wrong with their actions, well the world is better without them. I feel this way about gangs, too. If some jerk is arrested and is a known gang member.....bang. Now there is one less, and maybe the word will get out that society will not put up with their crap. Dottie

Very, very disturbing. And these were "kids".

What's happened to young people that they have NO morals? When I was that age, I *remember* feeling sorry for the elderly and helping them in small ways when I could. How can someone so young (15???) be so vicious already???

I agree with you Dottie. I am sick to death of courts and lawyers making excuses for these thugs. Oh yea, they are all sorry and apologize when they are caught. Or they find Jesus in prison...they sure do and leave Him at the door when they are leaving prison. Like I said, I have no sympathy for people who commit vicious crimes.

Deb

I didn't read the links, I would be too upset. Things like this make me so angry.Where do you think it comes from? Lack of respect for others? The need for instant gratification?

Makes me mad too. Sadly it happens all the time.

That reminds me of a story that happened here years ago. Two teens either high or wanting drug money set out to rob and kill someone. They tried door after door until they found one unlocked, went in and killed a couple of teachers just for the fun of it. That is when I started checking my doors at night. People say, "well if they want in they will get in", but most of the time, they won't mess with a secure home because it's to much trouble and noisy to get in. I also look out the window after I turn off the PC and the light, to see if my neighbor's garage doors are closed. I have had to call a few times and tell them it was open. Most people leave their door to the garage unlock because they think the garage door is secure.

I blame a lot of the crud today on the video games,the television and naturally,of taking the good lord out of the schools and homes.

I strongly believe in *an eye for an eye*.....only in this particular case I would go at those little bast*&^% with a baseball bat.

I *am* the type to get involved...and always,as long as I am even partly able,will be.

But these kids are old enough to know that a video game is just that...a game. Or that something on TV is not real. I don't even take that excuse the kids use as logical. They know it is all pretend and that decent people do not act that way. Do NOT kill others because they want money or want what that person has. Dang....go get a job, earn the money to buy the "stuff" you want.

Deb

In fairness, this isn't JUST kids these days, I realize that. Evil, and I agree that's what it is, has been around, well, since the beginning of time. This type of thing has happened 50, 75, 100 years ago and for that matter before that too. I remember my Dad telling stories about the history of certain farms in the area, where one murdered their spouse and they could smell something for miles around. They found her body in the attic in the hot summertime weather. I won't go into more details that he told me!

That said, this one just got under my skin. I wanted to warn people before reading about it. It's a newspaper article so it's pretty toned down, but still, I was appalled and angry doesn't describe it. I just wish one of the neighbors had a gun or a baseball bat and went over and laid a pile of wood on them. THESE THINGS JUST GET TO ME! Forgive me, but it just does. I very seldom get irate over things, but injustice is one thing that sets me off.

For those who didn't read the article, the fellow apparently is doing OK. Last I heard he had another operation on his brain over the weekend to remove pressure and buildup and last I heard, he's doing "well" under the circumstances. And they have the 15 & 16 yo suspects in custody. One caught in the yard and the other hiding in the garage under a car. Too bad they didn't go la-de-da-de-da-da, start up the car and go for a drive over a speedbump. For the one in the yard, well K9s gotta eat too.

I don't think I've been this worked up since Katie Poirier was kidnapped and killed a few years back. Even in as bad shape as I was in, I tried to volunteer to help in the search. Couldn't but what really got me going on that one was she was a c-store employee and it was one of my biggest fears when I managed stores. Briefly, for those who don't know, Katie was a 19 yo convenience store clerk who was abducted by a 51 yo. Lots of coverage on the internet.

Why it happens or where it comes from? Who knows? It started as a robbery (one said essentially he knew an easy target) and I somehow suspect there was either an ego trip or fear of getting caught. Maybe they didn't expect him to be home, I don't know.

Dottie I have a nice tree, anyone have a rope and a horse? I agree with you. What good are they to themselves or society? Except for veterinary experiments.

These things make me sick.

Incidently he was active in crime prevention in his area and without a doubt it saved his life and caught the punks quickly. A neighbor saw them breaking in and called the police. So all I ask is get involved! Some way. Any way you can. Maybe you can't walk a patrol, but watch out your windows, be alert to something that doesn't look right. And most importantly, call the police if it doesn't look right. Don't be afraid you might have it wrong - far better to be wrong than to be too late. And the police will tell you that too. Maybe if you don't see or hear from an elderly, or hey, even a single neighbor, give a checkup call and say hi. And if you're not moving around much, give a call and let someone know all is well. I'm guilty of not knowing all of my neighbors as well as I should. But this one probably is going to be the incentive to change that.

Stay safe. And use seome telepathy to dearly departed to throw an extra log on the fire for when these two, and all like them, arrive.

Evem though I did not read the article I am very concerned about the young people today, and not just the teens. They are exposed to so much violence with little respect from the law and their own family and friends it really scares me. Look around and see how many adults, law enforcement people,church people, sport players do so much to break the law, on drugs etc and get away with it.
We as parents must take charge, disipline our children, change the laws, know where and who our children are with and do not be afraid to be parents, not good buddies. A good parents can be a friend, but must be a parent first.

I sure am glad they caught them.

Stargazzer said, "That reminds me of a story that happened here years ago. Two teens either high or wanting drug money set out to rob and kill someone. They tried door after door until they found one unlocked, went in and killed a couple of teachers just for the fun of it."

I've heard stories like that too, and I lock my doors, even if it's the most beautiful day outside and even if I'm only running into the house for a moment.

When we first bought this house, I told my husband I wanted a strong storm door installed on the front IMMEDIATELY for safety reasons. Without a storm door on the front, you're face-to-face with whatever hooligan comes to your front door. And in this neighborhood, we have plenty of hooligans who knock on doors for NO good reason.

I have read - too many times to count - that the really bad guys will try door knobs looking for the house that is unlocked.

I won't read the article either, but I hear and agree with all the comments being said.

In our podunk town over the weekend, a 71 yr. old man was out walking his dog, when some perv (on a bicycle) beat the man up and took his wallet.

Yep, get a rope! Fair trial? Why..don't see the need myself. :(

This is just horrific.We need to start publishing names of teens who commit crimes in the papers, on tv and radio.We, for some stupid reason, protect them.Let people in the neighborhoods know who they are, show their faces. Shame them,embarrass them and maybe they would think twice about what they do.

I didn't read the article either because it would be too upsetting.
I think it comes from not having to take responsibility for anything they do in their lives, from respect for others, performing well in school, to looking after chores at home, etc.. They have no respect for themselves and their own property and therefore no respect for others and their property. And Mom and Dad are always there to make excuses for them. In my 30 years of teaching, there were many kids who ran wild because it was too much trouble for the parents to be parents and take responsibility for and teach respect and responsibilty to their kids. Young people don't learn it by osmosis - it has to be taught and modelled. All too many times it isn't, much to detriment of others.

What really makes me angry is the 'slap on the wrist' mentality of the courts and other agencies. Because they are "young offenders" they are treated with kid gloves, the judge or whoever wags the finger at them, tells them to be good boys and girls from now on, and sends them off. The kids are just laughing. There are no consequences for their actions at all, no message sent about what is and what is not acceptable behavior. For most of these kids, acceptable behavior is whatever they can get away with.