Posted on 04/06/2010 5:16:36 PM PDT by buccaneer81
Child-puncher fined, put on probation Tuesday, April 6, 2010 6:12 PM By Bruce Cadwallader The Columbus Dispatch
A Columbus man who admitted to punching children in the head at local Walmart stores for excitement has been sentenced to five years of probation and fined $150.
Ralph Conone, 68, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault last week in Franklin County Municipal Court, according to court records.
His attorney earlier told a judge that Conone suffered from mental-health issues and was not a threat to the community. At the time, Judge Mark Hummer prohibited the news media from photographing Conone so police could circulate his photo in an attempt to find other victims. No other victims came forward.
Judge Scott VanDerKarr sentenced Conone on March 30 to 180 days in jail and fined himon each count, but suspended all but the 20 days Conone spent in jail in exchange for probation. Conone was ordered to stay away from the stores and commit no further acts of violence. Conone must continue to attend counseling. Story continues below Advertisement
Columbus police charged Conone, of 5687 Shadowbrook Dr. on the North Side, with assault after the mother of a 6-year-old boy complained that Conone struck her child at a Walmart at 2700 Bethel Rd. on March 11. Store surveillance cameras caught the acts on video. Conone also punched the boy's 7-year-old brother and two other children in the store.
Two more charges were filed after a similar incident involving a 2-year-old boy at the same Walmart were discovered after police reviewed surveillance tapes Feb. 28.
Police said Conone would put his keys between his fingers and strike the children when their parents weren't looking.
Ohio ping!
“His attorney earlier told a judge that Conone suffered from mental-health issues and was not a threat to the community”
That has to be the stupidest thing I’ve read in a long time.
I’m not sure I understand the Judge’s decision. He’s not a danger to the community because he’s insane?
People of Wal-Mart.
“Police said Conone would put his keys between his fingers and strike the children when their parents weren’t looking.”
Seriously. Jaw wired for two months if I caught him. It would be worth the record.
Amazing. What makes this judge accept a defense attorney’s claim that a man who punches children for excitement is “not a threat to the community”? Whatever was in his head, he’s the wrong man for the job. The guy is 68. Lock him up for probably less than 10 years, and the problem will be solved. I don’t care whether it is a mental facility or a prison, but I don’t want him around my children.
I guess two-year-olds aren't part of "the community".
Except for small children in Wal-Mart.
Pick’s disease?
There is a “people” of WalMart?
Uh, he’s not a threat? He is going around punching children.....enlighten me. How is that not a threat to society?
I know that any lefty can photograph people in just about any 24 hour store in America to get those same photos, why would a freeper be pushing the left’s agenda here?
Good point.
If someone struck my 3 year old daughter that way they would be dead......no if, ands or buts......
I’ll take my chances with a Georgia jury.....I’d walk...
LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.