Teen pulling prank killed by neighbor

The Palm Beach Post ^ | Sunday, October 26 | Sarah Eisenhauer and Cynthia Kopkowski

[Centurion2000]

I'm going to suspend judgement on this one bearing more facts .... was the boy shot in the back for one ?

[Freedom2specul8]

Really? WHere did he/she say he/she was a witness to the shooting? Please show me the quote because I missed it.

[durham62]

Actually yes I do because I spoke with the kid who was with Mark today. He told me what he could, and I have been to the scene. I know the distance between the shooter's house and where Mark fell. I know what the shooter's house looks like. I knew the kid. I know what they were doing. Do you know all that?

[durham62]

Actually yes I do because I spoke with the kid who was with Mark today. He told me what he could, and I have been to the scene. I know the distance between the shooter's house and where Mark fell. I know what the shooter's house looks like. I knew the kid. I know what they were doing. Do you know all that?

[gatex]

"..you might find yourself pulling a little time in Florida for having tried to intimidate someone who might be called in by the Prosecutor as a witness."

He was not a witness. He said he was a friend.

[gatex]

"...I know what they were doing..."

No you don't --- you only know what your friend told you (hearsay -- and not allowed in couarta, I dont think)--- and he has a serious interest in saying they were only doing innocent things.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's what I thought...

Regardless, the investigators have more info than the folks who were at the vigil.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I know what they were doing.

You were there?

Something you would like to confess maybe?

[muawiyah]

Friends frequently end up being called as witnesses for various purposes. Why risk going to jail over it. Just leave the guy alone. The facts will all come out.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

With a window beside the door, then the scenario remains confusing to me.

The narrow walkway you describe doesn't leave much hiding room. So if Levin looked out the window first one would have to assume he saw Mark. If the sight of Mark concerned Levin why did he open the door?

I'm sure others have different questions, but were I a prosecutor or jury member a lot of how I interpret this scenario would depend on the answer to that question.

[durham62]

I never said I was going to be testifying in court. Plus the only people I consider friends are people who tell me the truth. By the way, the way the crime scene looks completely verifies my friend's "hearsay".

[Freedom2specul8]

Can you point to a quote on this thread that says the homeowner had the right to shoot Mark? I'm seeing more people ask questions about the circumstances rather than patting the homeowner on the back. I'm asking because I haven't read one yet...and since we're all humans and make mistakes, I could have overlooked a quote here and there.

[stands2reason]

Isn't there a huge space between condoning behavior and believing it should result in death?

[durham62]

Yea I'd love to confess they were playing a game that regardless of the age you played it at is common among teenagers, and not meant to harm anyone.

[Freedom2specul8]

If the homeowner is convicted...his friend (if this person is who he says he is) could be called during the sentencing phase. All I see is a person pointing at freepers as if they are glad the boy got shot. It's Sickening. My apologies if I've offended anyone.

[Clemenza]

Mark Andrew Drewes, a popular Pope John Paul II High School sophomore.

I am ashamed to say that this idiot was a student at my alma mater. Please don't judge an otherwise fine institution by the behavior of this fool.

BTW: Its interesting that even in the center of tranplanted New York liberalism, there are still people exercising their right to bear arms.

[gatex]

"...the way the crime scene looks completely verifies my friend's "hearsay" ...."

What does your friend say about the shooting ?

[Clemenza]

BTW: I still think a warning that the homeowner was armed would have been sufficient without pulling the trigger. The kid was still stupid to do this, however.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

Waving your arms about is not, in almost anyplace but Louisiana, a death penalty offense.

What does the death penalty have to do with self-defense? Oh yea, nothing. Rape, mugging are not capital offences either but they can get you killed just like jumping off a cliff or charging an armed homeowner pretending to attack him.

Last thing I saw on this particular issue the Louisiana state legislature refused to change the law

Good. How would they change the law? Lets see, something like this: "If a young man charges you waving his arms wildly, ignoring the gun being pointed at them and your orders to freeze, you are to assume they are just pretending and not shoot them."

I would prefer implementing and an entrance exam for exchange students with one question:

1. You go around side of a strangers house and try to open the side/back door. A woman screams inside. You run around to the front and a man is point a gun at you, yelling something you don't fully understand. You should...

a. stop moving toward him.

b. apologize

c. Wave your arms wildy while charging at him.

d. Answers a and b.

If they answer c don't let them in. This way, the rest of the popluation can go on protecting themselfs from criminals.

[durham62]

I am very ashamed that an alumnus of my school would say something so ignorant and despicable towards a murdered student. You know what our town and school are like, and I'm sure your classmates and friends if not you did many of the same things Mark did just by having fun.