Teen spitball felon awaits sentencing for mayhem

The Conta Coasta Times ^ | May. 15, 2002 | Claire Booth

[Pern]

WALNUT CREEK - Twelve-year-old Jeffrey Figueroa shot a spitball in gym class last fall.

Eight months later he became a felon, convicted in juvenile court last week of battery and mayhem for launching the gum wrapper that hit a classmate's eye.

[Pern]

"What is wrong with being a kid these days?" said Yvette Figueroa. "Some things have just gone too far."

I agree, this was a prank that got out of hand.

Am I the only one that's noticing that a lot of crimes are becoming felonies now? I personally think that it's a ruse to disarm America. Think about it, a convicted felon isn't allowed to own a firearm.

[xsmommy]

OMG, everything my mother said about putting someone's eye out has come true!

[Movemout]

I have one question for Claire. Is it time yet?

[Rifleman]

Probably, but decide for yourself and act on it. That will work best.

[robertpaulsen]

Hard to believe that half of a wet "gum wrapper", spit whole out of a 12-year-old mouth, could take out an eye. Maybe he used a straw? That's how we used to shoot spitballs.

To take out an eye as described, and to justify the felony charge, I think the the "gum wrapper" in question was the foil wrapper formed into a pointed projectile and shot from a straw. IMHO.

[Cultural Jihad]

Update:
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/3136922p-4179403c.html