KY - 12yr old boy raped after telling friends to run so they wouldn't be hurt

[Melanie]

I'm so sad for this young boy. Why did the judge let him down like that? House arrest? Seriously?

I'm not for vigalante justice, <modsnip>. I'm sorry for saying that, I'm sorry for thinking that way - but I just can't tolerate sex crimes against children. That's the lowest of the low.

Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve to be here - simple as that!

Prayers to the victim.

MOOO

Mel

 

[katydid23]

I'm so sad for this young boy. Why did the judge let him down like that? House arrest? Seriously?

I'm not for vigalante justice, <mdosnip>. I'm sorry for saying that, I'm sorry for thinking that way - but I just can't tolerate sex crimes against children. That's the lowest of the low.

Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve to be here - simple as that!
Prayers to the victim.
Mel

I feel it sends a horrible message to that brave young man as well. He puts his own life on the line for the sake of his friends and how does the court repay him? He has to deal with that sick violent man being FREE in his own hometown. That is a deplorable and disgusting outcome, imo.

Any adult who would grab a child in broad daylight in front of other witnesses and rape them is as DANGEROUS AS HELL. He should not be free and on an 'ankle monitor. Those are useless in cases of violence like this. He is lucky he is not in my neighborhood.

 

[mysterygirl]

The smirk on his face! I can't get over it.

 

[Missizzy]

I keep wondering if he might have family in the area and they've vouched for him. Some good that did for Dr. Emilio Luna. He was arrested on hundreds of counts of producing (not just possessing) child and the judge released him with a monitor and a huge bail, paid by family. Two days later, he asked and was given permission to go to church. When he didn't return (after 4 hours!!), his own sister called him in as missing. Never seen again and it was determined that he was central to the Lost Boy Child Ring. Being that he has family in Mexico, had money and connections (someone picked him up) and has a marketable skill--pediatrics--we can be pretty much assured we won't be seeing him again. However, he will continue his abuse. That's the tragedy.

If we want legislation and oversight of our state and county judges concerning NO BAIL for violent offenders, we have to hit our lawmakers hard and heavy. Get involved in your state's Crime Victims Advocacy group. They are usually listed on the Attorney General's page. Set aside a little time each day, choose a legislator and profile a case in a short email. They surely don't have the time to read all the criminal reports but WS is a treasure trove of stories to use as examples. Remember, they work for you. Let them know what you want. And encourage your family and friends to do the same.

 

[angelmom]

I'd like a little more information before joining <modsnip> against the judge. It's been commented on that the bond is unusually low - are there any reasons the judge might have been limited or capped in the amount set? For instance, does that jurisdiction limit by income? Is there some sort of multiplier or statutory guideline for bond the judge had to follow? From what I understand, the theory is that bond is not set for the crime committed, but for the flight risk the defendant poses (along with other criteria).

It's quite possible the judge was following the normal bond calculation constuction (flight risk + prior history + ties to the community + total income, etc. etc.), and that was the highest s/he could set. I don't think most judges are soft on this sort of crime, so I'm thinking there's some sort of extenuating circumstances with the bond. We're shocked by the heinousness of the crime, but the crime alone does not determine bond.

That would be some great info to include in a media report or newspaper article. If the judge's hands were truly tied on this, then the people of KY should be aware of this flaw in the law.

 

[AnaTeresa]

That would be some great info to include in a media report or newspaper article. If the judge's hands were truly tied on this, then the people of KY should be aware of this flaw in the law.

I agree. It's one of my big issues with the media - they tend to print sensational articles, such as someone being given a low bond, a low sentence, etc., without printing the information that there's a statute that restricts the judge. I'm not sure if that's the case here, but it's certainly something I'd like to know.

 

[AnaTeresa]

If we want legislation and oversight of our state and county judges concerning NO BAIL for violent offenders, we have to hit our lawmakers hard and heavy. Get involved in your state's Crime Victims Advocacy group. They are usually listed on the Attorney General's page. Set aside a little time each day, choose a legislator and profile a case in a short email. They surely don't have the time to read all the criminal reports but WS is a treasure trove of stories to use as examples. Remember, they work for you. Let them know what you want. And encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Respectfully snipped by me.

This is so very true. There are times when judges have their hands tied. Instead of bashing the judge (if that is the case here), lobby the legislature. Our criminal justice system is only as good as the statutes which guide it.

 

[not_my_kids]

before we solely blame the judge, let's not forget that judges are only one tooth in the gigantic cog machine that is the justice system. Judges don't rule with impunity, they are held by legal precedent and minimum/maximum guidelines. Not being familiar with KY law, I don't know that this rests solely on the judge. It could partially rest with the prosecutor and the charges that he chose to pursue, it could rest with police and something that they chose to include or not include in their initial reports.

Don't get me wrong, I think that a lot of the time, it is just the judge not caring, however, in this case, i will wait until I know whether it really was his or her fault.