Michael Devlin to Plead Guilty to Kidnapping, Sexual Abuse Charges

Foxnews.com ^ | 10/06/07 | Associated Press

[Halls]

ST. LOUIS — For nearly a year, two Missouri boys have been preparing to walk into a courtroom and face the man accused of kidnapping and abusing them. Now, an apparent surprise deal will spare them the ordeal.

Michael Devlin, the former pizzeria manager accused of kidnapping Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby, will plead guilty next week to kidnapping and sexual abuse charges, a prosecutor and a relative of one of the boys said Friday. Devlin's surprise decision brings a sudden end to a massive criminal case that has drawn international attention.

[proxy_user]

You are wrong, I do not say that.

I am just giving you the line the defense would take, and analyzing the harm it would do to all. That is how the world works.

[MOgirl]

Your post:

Posted by proxy_user to MOgirl
On News/Activism 10/06/2007 12:22:52 PM PDT · 9 of 21

“The 14 year-old had a bicycle, a computer, a cell phone, and played video games. He would go out to eat at fast-food places with buddies his own age.

I am sure the first thing a defense lawyer would ask him was why he didn’t contact the police.

I am afraid his motives for doing what he did might not have been entirely creditable. Certainly, the defense would have gone for that angle.”

We all know that that the defense would have gone down that road. You can not back track on your words nor your view that this child had “ignoble motives”. But, you have the right to be who and what you are.

[StAnDeliver]

"What I do not get is that you have apparently decided that this child had any ability to make decisions for himself, after he was subjected to the most horrific torture. That is cold. May you never be judged as harshly as you judge this victim, a child."

"You are wrong, I do not say that."

"some things are better covered up...The 14 year-old had a bicycle, a computer, a cell phone, and played video games. He would go out to eat at fast-food places with buddies his own age...I am afraid his motives for doing what he did might not have been entirely creditable."

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I hope he won’t be in protective custody.

[Halls]

me either!

[tina07]

and Shawn was only 11 when he was kidnapped, easy to forcefully and threateningly control.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I’m with you there. God bless those boys who were saved and are now back safely in the fold of their loving and supportive family members!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Yeah, child rapists are pretty low on the prison social hierarchy - esp. ones that pick on little boys - ahem, cough, cough. He’ll get - no doubt - some “special attention treatment” by his prison mates.

[JUMPIN JEHOSPOHAT]

This is GREAT news, Halls. and Thanks for the ping.

[raccoonradio]

has been sentenced to life in just one of the four
jurisdictions involved...I read the book “I Know My Name
Is Steven” about a similar case in which a man kidnapped
a boy and held him for seven years... THAT guy is back on
the streets, IIRC (and the victim died in a motorcycle
crash later, with much of his short life stolen from him)
...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Stayner

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/midwest/view.bg?articleid=1036715

>>UNION, Mo. - A former pizza parlor manager was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the kidnapping of one of two boys he is accused of holding captive in his apartment.
Michael Devlin, 41, pleaded guilty to one charge of child kidnapping and one charge of armed-criminal action in the January abduction of 13-year-old William “Ben” Ownby.

>>It was the first in a series of hearings this week in four jurisdictions where Devlin faces more than 80 counts in the kidnappings and sexual abuse of Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck. He is expected to plead guilty to all of the charges against him, a prosecutor and a relative of the boys has said.

[raccoonradio]

oops, I’ll amend that; Steven Stayner’s abductor isn’t
back on the streets. Wikipedia:

>>Parnell was convicted on February 9, 2004, on the charges of attempting to purchase a child and attempted child molestation, even though the child in question was nonexistent. Parnell was sentenced to 25 years to life under California’s “three strikes” law. ...prosecutor Tim Wellman said that Parnell “was looking for one last hurrah. One last Steven Stayner, one last Timmy White.”

[cherry]

what the H are you talking about?....Shawn H. was a small framed little boy.....and you expect him to be Rambo?

grown men can be intimidated let alone a little boy....just look at the prisoners of war....they do what they had to do to survive..

[Halls]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300459,00.html

[keats5]

So he did try to kill Shawn. I suspected as much.

[BonneBlue]

Thanks for the ping. I have not forgotten about these boys and have prayed for them on a continual basis.
I read about todays events on KMOV.com
Those that faulted Shawn in the past for not running, should be ashamed of themselves. What a heartbreaking story for both boys. Maybe now they can move on.

[BonneBlue]

Heartbreaking...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/B3A00AFFBBAB19F58625736F0010A3C8?OpenDocument

[rwa265]

Hear’s some testimony from today’s hearing that sheds some light on Shawn’s motive.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300459,00.html

During Tuesday’s hearing, Devlin — standing just feet away from Shawn’s weeping parents — admitted in graphic detail how he abducted Shawn in 2002. He described the point at which the boy apparently turned from being an abduction victim to a captive forced to stay alive by following Devlin’s horrific orders.

After Shawn was abducted at gunpoint while riding his bike in rural Washington County, Devlin took the then-11-year-old to his apartment in suburban St. Louis where he repeatedly sexually assaulted the boy. Days later, Devlin took Shawn back to rural Washington County in his pickup truck, apparently intent on killing him.

He said he pulled Shawn from his truck and began to strangle him. Shawn resisted.

“I attempted to kill (Shawn) and he talked me out of it,” Devlin said.

Devlin stopped the choking, but then sexually assaulted the boy again. Prosecutors said it was at that point that Shawn told Devlin he would do whatever was asked of him in order to stay alive.

“This boy made this contract, this deal with the devil, only to survive,” Washington County prosecutor John Rupp said.

[Halls]

My word, how very sad. And to think that people put any blame on Shawn Hornbeck for the horrific event that happened to him. Just awful! That poor child. I can only pray that he is feeling the love and comfort he so rightfully deserves in the love and arms of his mom and dad.

[rwa265]

You will be happy to know that the whole community wrapped Shawn in their supportive arms and welcomed him home. Further, The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was formed to educate children and their parents on simple techniques they can use to stay safe; provide tools parents can use in the event their child is lost or missing; and help families, law enforcement, fire departments and other search and rescue teams in their efforts to find a lost, missing or abducted child.

The link to their website is:

http://www.shawnhornbeckfoundation.com/shf_servicesandprograms.cfm

[FaithFamilyFreedomForever]

Hmmmmmm...Where are all the people who were claiming Hornbeck ran away, enjoyed his circumstances etc? Where are the geniuses who theorized that Devlin was just a lonely loser in need of a “buddy?”