Rape charges against high school players divide football town of Steubenville, Ohio

Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | 9-2-12 | Rachel Dissell

[trailhkr1]

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- It’s Monday, and ominous-looking clouds are pushing over Harding Stadium as dozens of football players in practice jerseys prepare to take on Cleveland’s Benedictine Bengals.

But this day two key players are missing from the field.

[miserare]

Will there be federal charges because of the kidnapping?

[workerbee]

There certainly should be! Why would this be different than any other kidnapping?

[trailhkr1]

Will there be federal charges because of the kidnapping?

Yes, from what I have been reading on prinnefied.com because the 16 year old lived in W.Va. and bringing her across state lines automatically brings in the FBI...but I am not an expert on this.

[Hot Tabasco]

so much of your haranguing becomes clear now

Go harrass someone else you old harpie..........Sheesh!

[MNJohnnie]

Kids raised by single mothers ultimately end up having no respect for either women or the law.

I am a former US Army Infantryman who has extensive contacts with successful business people and political figures. Even in comparison to people I know my step son is one of the finest men I have ever met.

He was raised by a single mother.

[goodwithagun]

The two boys have been charged each one count of rape and one count of kidnapping. Additionally, one has recoeved a charge of disseminating child porn. I have not read that these charges are federal. Both of the boys are 16, but the special prosecutors are trying to get them charged as adults.

[miserare]

Did one of the rapists bring her over from WV? Or did she drive herself?

I guess these questions will be answered at trial.
I can’t believe most of the perps are still walking around free to rape other young girls.

Nancy Grace should get on this case.

[piroque]

I can’t post what I’d be likely to do.

The boys will get their just dew in the end, and this isn't sarcasm

[Pollster1]

From what I heard both girls are pretty decent, from good families and they are both hotties (not that it matters that less attractive women are less human) but these guys were picking out the more pretty girls to prey on.

Even if there was "no penetration" as one person implied might be true, this was the involuntary sexual molestation of an unconscious, underage girl. I'm not convinced that kidnapping applies - that may depend on the letter of the law. I am firmly convinced that this is rape under whatever definition applies in any civilized state. Hotties or not, I hope the community and the law will be extremely harsh with these predators. Unless the story I've read is amazingly inaccurate, I would expect the jury to vote guilty. If I could influence the penalty, I would vote for the harshest available option - life without parole, consecutive maximum sentences for a total of 100+ years without parole, or more. I am disgusted by these "boys", and I do not want any more decent people to be victimized by them ever. What they did overrides any charitable urge to give those who go astray a second chance.

[publius911]

There certainly should be! Why would this be different than any other kidnapping?

State lines. Or not.

[Sherman Logan]

Leaving out of the question whatever happened that night, the tweets and other recorded comments pretty much take them out of the running as “good kids.” IMO.

What I find most difficult to understand is the boasting. I understand how alcohol reduced inhibition and peer pressure does, too, especially in young men. You could easily get dragged into doing something you would later be ashamed of.

But being proud of and boasting about it in the following days?

[Sherman Logan]

Reminds me of the black kids beating up people (often white) in a gang, then posting bragging pics or videos. Maybe white kids do this too.

But what is going through the mind of someone who is proud of himself for having the bravery to join 10 other creeps in beating up an innocent person?

[Freee-dame]

e could have had a coke with something in it

Decades ago my mother taught me never to drink anything at a party unless I opened the can or bottle myself. Maybe it's still good advice.

[Callahan]

At first I suspected this story was being blown out of proportion because I’m no fan of Anonymous and liberals tend to go all “Duke Lacrosse”-rush-to-righteousness when rape is involved, but I researched it today and it looks the early MSM reports just scratch the surface of the sleaze. A segment of Steubenville seems to be a cross between “Friday Night Lights” and the hillbilly mafia town in “Walking Tall.” Rape. Drugs. Gambling. Police corruption. Rotten all around. I’m sure A&E is preparing documentary crews.

[Osage Orange]

Wait a second....I was a kid from divorced parents.

I drank too much and smoked too much...and NEVER took advantage of a girl that did the same!! And I had the opportunity too, many times!!!