David Groth
Posted on 06/10/2006 5:22:10 AM PDT by NYer
David Groth
Tyler Groth
West Bend - Two cousins were charged with a felony crime each on Friday in the desecration of Holy Hill and, according to authorities, the older of the two admitted what he did but had no regrets.
Tyler B. Groth, 21, of Neosho and David J. Groth, 17, of Hartford each face up to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of criminal damage to religious property.
Tyler Groth told investigators that he and his cousin used red spray paint in a spree of vandalism at Holy Hill on Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint. The investigators then asked Groth, according to Washington County Sheriff Brian Rahn, "Do you feel sorry for what you did?"
"No," the sheriff quoted Groth as saying. "It was just something I did. I just wanted to have some fun."
Tyler Groth was arrested on the Holy Hill grounds on Wednesday, as he and his cousin showed four friends the vandalism from the night before, according to a deputy's report. David Groth ran off that night but was arrested Friday morning, hiding behind a bed in a friend's home in Richfield, Rahn said. David Groth has been charged as an adult.
Unlike his older cousin, David Groth refused to speak to investigators, according to Rahn. No physical evidence has been recovered, he said.
Asked why he committed the vandalism, Tyler Groth said in an interview broadcast on WTMJ-TV (Channel 4): "I'm a punk. It's what I do."
Tuesday's date was 6-6-06. In the Bible, the New Testament's Book of Revelation says triple sixes are the mark of the Antichrist.
According to the criminal complaint, Tyler Groth said he and his cousin decided to spray paint walls, statues and other parts of Holy Hill because it was "Satan's birthday."
Tyler Groth told investigators that he painted "Hail Satin," a misspelling of Satan, and a devil's face in different places and that he sprayed paint on a statue of Jesus, according to the complaint. Tyler Groth said David Groth painted "I'm glad they killed Jesus" and "Hell Will Rule" in various places on the property, the complaint says.
Father Cyril Guise, director of the shrine - formally known as the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians - said in an interview that no estimate of the amount of damage had been made but that a contractor's crew of about five had been working steadily since Wednesday.
"It's a gentle procedure so they don't destroy the statues," he said.
Guise said worshippers handed him donations to help pay for the repairs after Mass on Friday, as many others had done for the past three days. He called the vandalism "obscene," a description echoed by Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who announced Friday he would say a Mass of Reparation at Holy Hill at 4:30 p.m. today.
The cousins made their initial appearance on the charges in Washington County Circuit Court Friday. They told Judge Patrick Faragher that they understood the charges but made no other comments.
District Attorney Todd Martens asked the judge to set bail for both, saying the vandalism was "an affront to the faith of tens of thousands of Washington County residents." But public defender Paul Czisny argued that "this is not a day to punish."
Faragher said he would release Tyler Groth on a signature bond while the case is pending. He said the vandalism is a "very terrible thing" but comparable to "tagging" or graffiti, and "not an assault on the Catholic Church." He also noted that Tyler Groth, who lives with his parents and works at a siding company, had no prior record.
Faragher set $1,000 cash bail for David Groth, a Hartford Union High School student who lives with his parents and is not employed.
Both defendants are scheduled to return to court Wednesday.
Rahn said the Holy Hill vandalism appeared to be a prank rather than part of any occult activity. He said he thinks the cousins returned with friends to Holy Hill on the day after the vandalism to show off.
"In their minds, they were proud of what they had done," Rahn said.
Heh-heh!
Yeah! Yeah!
Seems as if Tyler had quite the life. Let me guess, a room full of "Nine Inch Nails," "Marylin Manson," and "Eminem" CDs, MTV on 24/7, and a regular poster at DU.
Did this deviant have a job? Sounds like someone needs a life.
ROFL, I missed that one.
HAIL SATIN!
If I said what I wanted to, I'd be banned.
I can't even begin to tell you how this breaks my heart, as I've been to Holy Hill many, many times. I hope they throw the book at these two POS's. And I pray for their conversions.
LOL!
Skulls full of mush. Prayerfuly, one day they will learn.
Why aren't these two being charged with a hate crime? It's time to use the left's laws against them.
One thing about me, dighton ... you know how I love to be incased in Satin.
these are a little bit older than 13; however, I think they have the intelligence of an 8 yr. old. One more thing you forgot to say, they are usually white trash.
"I'm a punk. It's what I do."
When they put him in a cell with Redneck Ricky who hasn't been with a woman in 10 years, he's going to find out what the word "punk" means in prison.
"Hail Satan, King of the Losers!"
"In their minds, they were proud of what they had done," Rahn said.
We will be hearing about them again in the future.
Thank you for that information!
A Wisconsin and registered U.S. landmark, Holy Hill and its accompanying shrine and church, sit atop one of the highest points in the state. Towering some 1350 feet above sea level, the grounds thrill visitors with a commanding view and ambiance that has gained international acclaim. The grounds of Holy Hill and Shrine are revered for their collective beauty, period architectural style, a colorful history, religious significance, and tangible contributions to the local community and the community of man.
You're welcome! And ... this time the story remained where it belonged in the News/Activism Forum.
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