8-year-old boy killed trying to protect sister from rapist

[The Straight Story]

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A young boy was killed Thursday evening while trying to protect his sister.

Friends and family members say the little boy was trying to defend his 12-year-old sister.

According to relatives, the sister and brother were playing near their backyard when they were approached by a stranger.

The little boy was hit in the head with a brick when he tried to protect his sister from the suspect.

http://kfor.com/2014/05/02/8-year-old-boy-killed-trying-to-protect-sister-from-rapist/

[shenmue]

1. Mercy

[louis-t]

2. Heartbreaking.

[polly7]

3. So awful.

What an adorable and brave little boy he was. Heartbreaking.

[JJChambers]

4. Cases like this are why so many in our country still support the Death Penalty (nt)

[Ed Suspicious]

7. The failure of state sanctioned revenge murder

Last edited Fri May 2, 2014, 03:45 PM - Edit history (1)

in this case lies in is its inability to function as a deterrent.

I guess it fills a need for revenge.

I wish you hadn't brought it up as now we are playing death-penalty politics with a heroic little boy's tragic death.

[JJChambers]

8. It's not politics

It's an incredibly vile and heinous crime and the perpetrator has no business ever drawing breath again.

[Ed Suspicious]

10. You seem like you fancy yourself very tough on crime. What is the purpose of all this toughness?

Does it deter crime, does it rehabilitate offenders, does it bring back to life the victims, does it ease the terrible burden on the families involved, or is it simply a hard coded impulse to extract maximum revenge while labeling it justice?

[JJChambers]

12. Why should society allow the perpetrator of this incredibly heinous crime to continue to exist?

[RebelOne]

20. Totally agree. n/t

[frylock]

21. because that's what civilized societies do..

are you under the impression that life in prison is happy funtime?

[AtheistCrusader]

24. Because I'm civilized, even if the perpetrator of this heinous crime, isn't.

[99Forever]

48. Why?

Because we as a society should be better than those who perpetrate heinous crimes. My personal bar is set higher than killing for revenge, apparently yours isn't.

[Aerows]

33. One question

What good does a man that tried to rape a 12-year-old and killed an 8-year-old do to benefit society?

That's my question. What amazing breakthrough is he going to have that benefits the people he lives around?

[Eleanors38]

46. I do not support the death penalty. Had I been on

the scene if this compounded capital crime, the state's death penalty would have been redundant.

[jeff47]

11. Yes, it is politics.

Because this statement:

the perpetrator has no business ever drawing breath again.

is political.

Again, this isn't the right thread to start such a political debate.

[951-Riverside]

14. And depriving this rapist of his liberties by keeping him a cage helps who exactly?

It amazes me how many people who are anti-death penalty have no problem keeping a follow human being locked up behind a cage for the rest of his or her life.

End imprisonment! Its unnatural, cruel and inhumane punishment!

The man that did this needs counseling and a job to pay the family restitution, not imprisonment.

[Ed Suspicious]

16. I don't believe I prescribed any remedy. I don't even necessarily disagree with you. Surely the

family of the victim would be better served by the perpetrator atoning for his crimes in some way other than a life of useless imprisonment or another senseless murder as a response to a senseless murder. I think some way for the perp to come to the conclusion that he owns his crimes and that he live his remaining life in service to the family and the community he so scarred would be a better end.

[christx30]

23. I wouldn't trust a person

like this around my family, even to provide restitution. He has proven himself to be a dangerous person and needs to be shut away to protect people from him.
Put him in a cage. Lock the door. Open it again when he dies of a disease, old age, or starvation from a hunger strike. I don't care about his wasted potential. I don't care about him owning up to his crime. As long as he can't hurt another child again. It's not about revenge or justice. You don't let lions walk around in a day care center, letting it kill the kids. You put it in a zoo.

[cpwm17]

28. That's a really bad idea

It would be a major insult to the victim of this and any other serious crime to let the perpetrator walk. That is why we have a criminal justice system. We need an objective third party to give justice for the victim and to conduct a fair trial for the accused. Once that system breaks down, we suffer the consequences.

Try explaining to the next victim of a serious criminal why the criminal is walking the streets? We would all suffer in a much less free and secure world under your system.

[Eleanors38]

47. Given the music choice, I think this was sarcasm.

[cpwm17]

53. I think you're right n/t

[Ex Lurker]

29. The man that did this wasn't motivated by lack of a job

and treatment/counseling for this sort of pathology is beyond our capability at this time. I'm against the death penalty, but there are people who should be kept far away from society for the rest of their lives. Any other conclusion is stunningly naive.

[Trajan]

32. Did you just say this?

DU .... weirder and weirder, every day ...

Just another collection of defective human beings ....

Pitiful ...

[Aerows]

34. You know - he's going to suddenly have a breakthrough

and cure cancer. Or something, something. Anyway, make sure he gets life in prison, never makes amends to society and costs society resources so he can be locked up until he dies. He's clearly an example of humanity and that needs to be protected, cherished and valued. Or something.

[boston bean]

37. It helps his next potential victim.

I can't believe that you think this guy ought to serve no penalty and be coddled like he ever has something to give society, after what he has taken away.

[Ex Lurker]

40. I think some who post like this are trolls

unfortunately, I think many are not.

[oneofthe99]

43. Ha Ha

you don't have me fooled

[WCLinolVir]

54. Facts are he is undoubtedly a recidivist, will do some other heinous crime in future.

Very hard to treat, a sociopath probably. Sociopaths can not be treated successfully. We put mad dogs to sleep.

[jtuck004]

13. And guns. Lots of guns. n/t

[Eleanors38]

49. "Suwannee! How I love ya, how I love ya..." nt

[morningfog]

30. And yet the death penalty didn't prevent this.

[951-Riverside]

41. Imprisonment didn't either. End both barbaric practices. These people need hugs, therapy and jobs

Imprisonment is a barbaric practice meant to deprive human beings of their freedom and dignity, locking a human being in a 6 by 8 feet box 23 hours a day for the rest of their lives doesn't bring the victim back, doesn't prevent crime and it costs the tax payers billions of dollars a year.

I'd rather see people free and contributing to society than being held captive in this barbaric system.

How much does a hug cost?
How much does therapy cost?
How much does a job cost?

END IMPRISONMENT! ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE!

[morningfog]

44. I know you are being saracstic, but until there are major reforms to our criminal justice system,

I have to come down on the abolition side.

[oneofthe99]

42. Who said it would

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. Hero

[Eleanors38]

50. Great kid.

[Xyzse]

6. Such a sad story

[Jack Rabbit]

9. ()

[Helen Borg]

15. Proof the God does not exist...

is that people like this exist.

[WhiteTara]

35. Do you need God to exist?

If God exists then everything must exist because nothing can exist outside God and if nothing exists outside God then God is all things even what we call evil.

Tibetan Buddhists (who don't believe in a personal God) say that all phenomenon (everything that happens) arises from causes and conditions. The only thing we can ask is how will my actions affect the rising phenomenon whether it is evil or virtuous. The rapist has some very heavy karma while the young boy gained merit beyond belief by sacrificing his life for that of another. The victim herself will have to decide what outcome she will pursue.

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. how sad

[hopemountain]

18. …

[AverageJoe90]

19. R.I.P. to the sweet little boy who stood up to a monster. ='(

[Lady Freedom Returns]

22. I hope they catch this guy!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

25. There is a special place in Heaven for that young man

My thoughts/prayers/vibes go to all of the members of the family for emotional and physical recovery.

[secondwind]

26. two victims, not one.. how sad and heartbreaking!!!

[HockeyMom]

27. This young man is a HERO

No ifs ands or buts about that.

[morningfog]

31. What a sad case, and a brave little boy.

[Rex]

36. These type of actions are what keep me in the un-evolved corner of society.

I just cannot help but want a grizzly death for the murdering rapist. If that is wanting revenge, then so be it!

[joeybee12]

38. This is too awful for words...

Sweet dreams, little guy.

[oneofthe99]

39. Wow

I don't know what prison this guy will end up in but the inmates will be waiting for him.
They read and watch TV also and have children of their own

[WillyT]

45. :( :::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dammit !!!

From: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/boy-8-killed-defending-sister-rapist-cops-n95571

[99Forever]

51. It's hard to fathom this kind of evil.

Human monsters walk among us.

[Eleanors38]

52. WTVR update in OP link says a teen suspect is in custody.

According to police, the suspect intimidated the victim into initially giving a description of the assailant as "white with scraggly beard." The suspect is reported to be black, and is undergoing med. evaluation.