3 Teens Accused Of Burning Youth

3 Teens Accused of Burning Youth Three Teens Accused of Setting Fire to 17-Year-Old and Taping the Whole Thing

MIDLAND, Texas July 18 — Three teenagers were charged with dousing a youth with lighter fluid and setting him on fire in a videotaped stunt, and officials said the victim appeared to have taken part voluntarily.

Jonathan Perry, 17, was in critical condition Thursday with second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body. The video was shot Sunday.

Sheriff Gary Painter said Perry apparently cooperated in the burning, but he said the three teenagers could still be prosecuted.

Casey Tim Owens, 18, and Eva Marie Cedillo and Monroe Rathbone, both 17, were charged Wednesday aggravated assault and released on $5,000 bail.

"A person can't give someone consent to violate the law," Painter said.

I'd like to know if there is case law or statute supporting that statement. Seems I recall car-jack perps getting off light because the car-jack victim chose to hand over the keys rather than fight back and risk getting physically harmed. And then there are the rape victims who don't fight because they believe doing so would increase their risk of worse injury or being killed, and the defense attorney for the rapist uses this to make it seem the rape wasn't so bad or wasn't really a rape.

I wonder if the burn victim is a little slow witted? Or not? I saw a good 20/20 segment on bullying and the victim often comes back for more because taking more abuse is less humiliating than running away.

The level of cruelty exhibited by youth today is not surprising considering the culture of violence, hollywood, etc. These people have apparrently graduated past the "kitten on the grill" stage of sadism, and been promoted to inflicting torture on human beings. The serial killing comes next.

The individuals who participated in this, and who didn't but watched and didn't try to stop it, should all be forced to sit by the bed of the burn victim for each and every cleaning. For those of you who don't know, the cleaning involves scrubbing the dead flesh away from the new raw flesh trying to grow from underneath. It is painful and the patient screams in agony the whole time. The perps should have to sit there an listen to it until the victim is completely healed over.

Here's the A/P version, via The Dallas Morning News.......

Midland teens accused of setting fire to youth

07/18/2002

Associated Press

MIDLAND, Texas - Three teenagers face assault charges after allegedly dousing a Midland youth with lighter fluid and setting him on fire in a videotaped stunt that the victim appeared to take part in voluntarily, officials said.

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said the videotape appeared to make reference to the MTV program "Jackass," a show featuring a series of strange and dangerous stunts.

"There was a mention made of 'Jackass' on the tape," he said Thursday. "I can't say for sure they were referring to that show, but they were simulating things that are done on that show."

Telephone calls placed to MTV's New York offices weren't immediately returned Thursday

Jonathan Perry, 17, remained in critical condition Thursday at University Medical Center in Lubbock with second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body, officials said.

Eva Marie Cedillo, 17; Casey Tim Owens, 18; and Monroe Rathbone, 17, turned themselves in Wednesday to Midland authorities and were charged with aggravated assault causing bodily injury. They were released after posting $5,000 bail.

Painter and other officials have reviewed the videotape and said Perry apparently was a willing participant in the burning, which took place Sunday.

On the tape, Perry is completely covered in flames.

The investigation is continuing, Painter said.

"We believe we've got a good case," Painter said. "We're still investigating other kids that were present that may be criminally liable."

Despite the appearance that Perry cooperated, the youths actions are "clear-cut violations of the law," Painter said.

"A person can't give someone consent to violate the law," he said. "We looked at all the charges that could be filed. This is the one that most fit the facts and the evidence."

"Jackass" became an instant hit when it debuted in October 2000, featuring a series of pranks and stunts, including being doused with pepper spray, sitting in a portable bathroom as it was tipped over, and lying down on a barbecue in a fire-resistant suit hung with steaks.

But several young people were seriously injured trying to copy the stunts, prompting MTV to move "Jackass" to a later time slot and run disclaimers.

The show is no longer in production, but is still shown in reruns.

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/txcn020718_cm_burn.1cb357e.html

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