Posted on 12/02/2010 10:43:38 AM PST by raybbr
A judge revealed Wednesday what he called a disturbing motive behind the murder of Matthew Chew as he walked home from work in New London Oct. 29.
Six teens appeared in court Wednesday to face various charges in connection with the murder.
Reading from a sealed arrest warrant, Judge Kevin McMahon said the group beat Chew to death for "no reason" other than "because they were bored", according to a report in The Day of New London.
Idris Elahi and Marquis Singleton, both 17, are charged with Chew's murder. Brian Rabell, 18, and three 17-year-olds, Tyree Bundy, Matias Perry and Rashad Perry (no relation), are all charged with accessory to murder.
McMahon blasted police, who initially said Chew was using his cell phone to buy drugs at the time of his murder, and that the attack was drug related, the paper reported.
"I'm not happy with the police department's conduct," McMahon said. He continued that the victim's actions that night had "nothing to do with his death", according to The Day.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcconnecticut.com ...
Couldn't get work??? You really think these kids were looking for work? LOL You've been spending too much time over at DU
Thanks for your replies - I do agree that a spiritual renewal is the only real cure. But there will always be people who refuse; since love for God has to be voluntary; so there will always be a need for a justice system.
Interesting about Quakers and repentence - of course, the root of the word “penitentiary” - I never put two and two together!
Unfortunately prisons rarely induce penitence.
Years ago (many) when I was turning into a conservative, I read in a weekly “liberal” newspaper the account of a man who had taught writing in a prison for many years. He started out as a typical liberal, figuring if he was nice and understanding and a friend to the poor criminals, they would open up, change their ways and so on.
After more than a decade, he changed his POV 100%. Previously a staunch anti-death penalty proponent, he became an advocate for death penalty. He said that in all his years of teaching in prisons and really getting to know many prisoners, he had only met one - ONE - who admitted that what he did was his fault, and was sorry and repentent. One out of thousands. Every other one was angry, vengeful, whining, and everything was always everyone else’s fault.
The one man who was repentent was an Indian who killed someone in a drunken brawl and didn’t even remember when he sobered up. He prayed every day for forgiveness. He was the sole prisoner who repented.
It was an honor to be so regarded by adults and status symbol among our peers.
Often, that demonstrated proficiency translated directly into pecuniary compensation for ourselves, either immediately or later on in life, but at the time we just thought it was neat to be allowed to 'do things'--the 'work' was often its own reward.
Thanks for your replies as well.
We don’t need everyone to awake to the reality of God, but only a few of influence who will mainstream again the notion of eternal consequence, instead of working so hard against it.
People already know they are accountable somehow to someone in the metaphysical sense. They only need endorsement of the concept from their leadership. This needs to be articulated in common discourse. We need a common sense of shame, and decency, and that can be based upon a few people of influence maintaining a serious faith - and openly saying so. Evil is weaker than good, but it must be confronted instead of coddled.
The reason this is so essential is that there has to be a common mythology, if you will -a common belief - that an offender will be caught and punished for wrongdoing. This must be twofold - now, and eternally. Once this belief is eroded, it becomes evident that there are not enough police in the world to maintain order, and we descend to where we are now, and to where we are headed.
As I watched the OJ trial I knew that it was a tipping point of sorts in this regard. Most people had suffered some injustice, or knew of some legal flukes prior to that trial, but they generally saw those incidents as aberrations. As the OJ trial unfolded, most came to understand the problem was endemic. The common understanding was that the trial (and by extension, probably ALL trials) was about legal sleight of hand and not revelation of truth. The flagrant lack of even legal (!) ethics was endorsed by the court through inaction, and the damage was not only the verdict, but the fact that the whole world had an opportunity to see that justice had been reduced to trickery and salesmanship. And most people were right.
Note however, the justice of God in the matter.
Haole. I had a buddy who had gone to H.S. in Hawaii in the mid-70s, who could tell you all about being called “haole”, and getting beaten up by the locals.
>>The fundamental issue is that the present leaning of the judicial system presumes man to be good.
This is a little bit off topic, but that is a fundamental theme of Thomas Sowell’s book The Vision of the Anointed.
The Anointed Vision is based on that idea, the presumption that Man is inherently “good”. The contrasting view you describe, the idea that we should expect the worst and strive for better, Sowell calls the Tragic Vision.
This book was written 15 years ago, and really presents an incredible framework for understanding the modern Liberal mindset. Highly recommended.
>>Believe it or not, the penitentiary was fostered by the Quakers to induce penitence. Is it not interesting that our current prisons are called ‘corrections’ instead? So the criminal is now just in need of correction? No - he is in need of repentance. That says it all, right there.
What you describe, the idea that Really Smart People (probably in NYC or DC, with Ivy League degrees) can somehow create a system to “correct” criminals, is a classic example of The Anointed Vision.
Unfortunately, they are not going to be killed.
They will spend substantial time (even the concept of “life without early release or parole” is being undermined) in prison learning to be better, more brutal criminals, then they’ll be released on the public.
I think most idle teens would be glad to work for money, if the money was substantially more than they could get by other means, especially giveaways or crime. We need harsh punishment to discourage crime, agreed. Parents who give their kids “generous” allowances are doing them any favors.
I shall get it. I love Thomas Sowell.
This will be even more off topic. When I used to teach at the local community college, I would have the students read Thomas Sowell’s essay on diversity (since we were all supposed to spend a day on diversity -gag). Thomas Sowell expounds very well on the meaning of the melting pot, i.e. “If you come here, be American, and stop being something else.” Who could complain?
Anthony Burgess, the book’s author, should get first credit.
“end minimum wage laws so kids can find work. “ Work is frowned upon in some societal sectors. I worked w/juvies in the ‘80’s; they thought it was incredibly stupid to work flipping burgers when you can net $5,000 in one burglary. The shame is in getting caught. There are some things you can’t fix.
Thank you for your very thoughtful comments.
I agree 100%.
Thus my tagline...
I bet that is a good book. I like just about every article by Sowell I’ve ever read.
Yes, the liberal idea is that all humans are born good and only evil capitalist/racist/homophobic/fundatmentalist religious/judgementalist/unfair societies and families ruin the little babies and turn them into heartless criminals.
Puke.
See my #89 The problem cannot be solved when the penalties for crime are so ridiculously light.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2636381/posts?page=89#89
“I’d bet you $100 (each) that they are not African Americans, but Americans.”
I have known real Africans who are now proud to call themselves Americans. Let me tell you that thugs like these would not last one day, no one hour in Africa!
“It couldn’t be a hate crime, now could it?! /s
Matthew was born in Japan on May 16, 1985”
So Chew San was Japanese? Yes it was a hate crime! The blacks did not like the Japanese man! That is the argument one could use!
“When I was a kid, being allowed ‘do things’, to operate equipment, be it tractors, small craft (boats), small bulldozers, farm vehicles, tools, to go hunting, etc., were all status symbols in our generation, earned through proficiency displayed in a supervised environment and the demonstrated degree of responsible behaviour which led our elders to conclude, (on occasion with some minor trepidation), that we could be trusted to do so with a minimum of direct supervision.
It was an honor to be so regarded by adults and status symbol among our peers.
Often, that demonstrated proficiency translated directly into pecuniary compensation for ourselves, either immediately or later on in life, but at the time we just thought it was neat to be allowed to ‘do things’—the ‘work’ was often its own reward.”
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I know where you are coming from with this. However unlike these thugs you either had this thing called a “father” or a “grandfather” or both that allowed for this to happen. These thugs only had the streets and this is the outcome. No molding, no rewards, and no future.
You’re right about that, brother.
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