Truth and consequences (Kids and false accusations)

The Orange County Register ^ | 2/15/4 | ANN PEPPER, BILL RAMS and THERESA WALKER

[socal_parrot]

We don't know the complete truth about why they lied.

Police have said three Garden Grove girls made up the story of a drifter attacking them in a park last May because one of them didn't want to get in trouble for coming home late from school.

[socal_parrot]

The case so far

May 2003: Three Garden Grove preteens tell police that a man attacked them in a park. They finger Eric Torberg Nordmark, 36. He spends eight months in jail awaiting trial. The girls are not identified because they are minors.

Jan. 26: In the middle of Nordmark's trial, one girl admits it was all a lie, reportedly concocted to avoid consequences for coming home late. Nordmark is released.

Feb. 9: The three 12-year-old girls are handcuffed and arrested at school. They are taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Feb. 11: Judicial commissioner orders two girls to remain in Juvenile Hall pending trial on charges their lies sent an innocent man to jail. The third girl is placed on house arrest. Conspiring to falsely and maliciously indict another person for a crime is a felony carrying a possible sentence of three years. One girl faces a perjury charge, which carries a possible four years.

[Paul C. Jesup]

'Thou shall not bare false witness against thy neighbor.'

One of the most forgotten of the Ten Commandments in modern times.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Who gives a damn why the vicious little creeps did it, put their sorry arses in the pokey for their lies.

[JakeWyld]

10 Lashes in the public square. Ok I've been reading Starship Troopers maybe that is extreme :).

In all seriousness, I wonder what the parents of these girls think about all this. In the meantime I hope that they at least spend 8 months in detention for their actions....an eye for an eye in this case sounds about right.

[socal_parrot]

I read comments from one of the parents saying that she was appalled that they handcuffed her daughter like a common criminal. Well, if the bracelets fit....

[John Jorsett]

Conspiring to falsely and maliciously indict another person for a crime is a felony carrying a possible sentence of three years. One girl faces a perjury charge, which carries a possible four years.

I didn't think children of age 11 (what they were at the time they falsely accused Nordmark) could be tried for crimes. Isn't the maximum penalty to keep them in juvenile hall until they reach 18?

[atomic conspiracy]

Back in the mid-nineties, there was a case here in which a male substitute teacher was accused of sexually molesting no fewer than ten fifth-graders, 4 boys and 6 girls. The man was quickly jailed and there was a great deal of publicity in the local media, all of which assumed his guilt as a matter of course. The state police took over the investigation, and little more was heard about the matter, except that the grand jury refused to indict the accused substitute and he was released. There were dark rumblings of a coverup among the local power-freaks.

There had been a coverup all right, but the guy was innocent. A copy of the grand jury testimony fell into the hands of the local media but they ignored it. It indicates that a teacher aide with a history of prescription drug abuse and bogus complaints had concocted the story and induced the children to go along with it. She had threatened them with disciplinary action if they refused to report the claim as their own, and promised various rewards if they did.

The state investigators recommended a variety of charges against the aide but nothing came of it. She was allowed to resign quietly, her principal took early retirement, and the school district's insurance company paid a hefty (and secret) settlement to the accused substitute on the condition that he not discuss the case publicly. The aide went back to college and is, today, a certified teacher working in a neighboring district.

[socal_parrot]

It would be interesting to do some research to see how long juveniles can be held. My memory is that kids can be held at a juvenile facility until they are 25. The box to the right of the story says 11-year-olds can be tried if it can be proved that they were aware of what they were doing. The conspiracy I think shows they did.

[Sender]

I think in this case, handcuffing them and perp walking them in front of their peers was exactly the right thing to do. They knew that innocent man was handcuffed and thrown in jail for their lies, and they kept a lid on it for almost a year, knowing that man sat in jail probably being abused by the other prisoners for what he supposedly did.

It would be entirely appropriate for these 3 girls to spend 8 months in a home for problem kids, with only limited visitation and privileges. I have no pity for anyone who makes false accusations and ruins others lives.

[hoot2]

"'Thou shall not bare false witness against thy neighbor.'

One of the most forgotten of the Ten Commandments in modern times. "

how dare you bring up the ten commandments when dealing with children...

you're gonna undo 40 years of head-start n p.c. bull-sh*t...

[trussell]

They should at least spend double that time. After all, he was innocent, they are guilty!!

[JakeWyld]

Yes, even better. I also figure that the parents owe the man financial restitution if he so requrests (unless the girls can get jobs).

I say this only because this will probably end up being a case where an impression will have to made on the parents as well as the children.

I also request that Judge Judy be brought in to try the case. :)

[Paul C. Jesup]

You forgot the 'sarcasm' tag.

[trussell]

I agree. It is sad that this man lost 8 months of his life because some people refuse to teach their children right from wrong.