Prosecution wants juvenile arson suspects tried as adults
By Larry Brooks
Friday January 4, 2008 10:32:11am


LAFAYETTE, Ga. -- Two 15-year-old boys accused of setting fire to LaFayette’s water-sewage department building were bound over Thursday for trial in juvenile court. The trial was tentatively set for Jan. 14.

Meanwhile, Juvenile Court Judge Bryant Henry will decide whether the two defendants should be tried as adults in Walker County Superior Court.

District Attorney Herbert "Buzz" Franklin said that Thursday's court appearance was an arraignment.

"The individuals heard the charges filed against them," Franklin said Friday. "We will probably file a motion today to have the trial moved to Superior Court."

The teens are charged with burglary, arson and criminal interference with government property.

Franklin's motion is based on the hopes of local authorities that the two teenagers can be charged as adults.

"The maximum time they will serve (if tried) as juveniles is 90 days of incarceration. The judge might add some time served in probation," said Tommy Freeman, LaFayette's director of public safety.

"We are simply hoping that the judge will take a look at the possibility of charging the two as adults. Right now it looks like that might be a possibility, but I never want to get ahead of a judge," Freeman said.

Franklin said that the judge is not limited by the trial date to reconsider them as being tried as adults in Superior Court once he receives the motion. "He can always reschedule that date," Franklin said.

Assistant District Attorney Margaret Loudet from Franklin's office is the prosecutor in the case.

Authorities say the two teenagers on New Year’s Day broke into a building housing the water-sewer department in LaFayette and set it on fire. The two-story building was a complete loss.

Jim Speir, head of the city's water and sewage department, said the damage included records such as work orders. However, he said water customer accounts are kept elsewhere and were not lost.

Freeman said the state's damage estimate of $500,000 was ``conservative'' and that the building, which once was used as an athletic field house behind the old high school, probably would have to be replaced.

Freeman also said the city recreation department stored equipment in the basement of the building and that too was lost.


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Torre
Comments: 10
Joined: 11/01/2007
01/11/2008 09:13:56 AM
You are exactly right and only by the grace of God are we not in the position of those kids or that of the parents. And who knows what is ahead of us with children or grandchildren. We all just need to realize that there is nothing we are not capable of doing if given the right set of circumstances and with that in mind maybe we will be able to make the right choices and do it with humility.
 
jaydubya
Comments: 193
Joined: 11/05/2006
01/11/2008 01:11:03 AM
Torre, I didn't want to give the impression I was disagreeing with you. Just the opposite. Just wanted to point out that these parents must not be involved with the kids. Because as they grow, and make errors, they and should be taught right and wrong. Seems they never learned that lesson. But sometimes no how much you talk to your kids, it is up to them to make the right decisions. They are just going to do what they want to. But I remember doing things as a kid that I never imagined would turn out like they did. Hopefully they will learn a very valuable lesson as well as many other kids that know them. Their lives are messed up for a few years. Hopefully one day things will turn out well for them. Awful to think of the alternatives.
 
Torre
Comments: 10
Joined: 11/01/2007
01/10/2008 09:04:27 PM
 
Torre
Comments: 10
Joined: 11/01/2007
01/10/2008 08:48:21 PM
jaydubya, I think my point was mistaken, I don't think these boys should be tried as adults because they are not of legal age and the law of our land protects them. That being said, I do think they should be sent to a youth work camp or something equivalent to help them and to set an example to deter other kids from similar acts. There has to be retribution.I was a little confused about your statement about stretching out to learn about the world before the world teaches you bad lessons. That is the reason we have parents to guide us and help us to be in a position maturely to make the right choices while we are minors and with that foundation then as young adults we are equipped to make the choices that enable us to stay within the perimeters of the law and be productive citizens. These kids have learned a bad lesson not taught by the world but because they were allowed to much priviledge. The attitude of many people is priviledge verses rights. It is their right to be treated as a minor it was a misused priviledge to have been allowed to be out late at night without supervision while they have the status of a minor. Like it or not that is why the law was set up to protect minors because parents are responsible for their whereabouts until they reach legal age if not then an institution such as a work camp or youth facility is available to control their destructive behavior and they in turn are removed from a volatile ,permissive environment which has enable them to break the law. Thank you for your imput, I know you care deeply for the welfare of these kids and I too want to see them turn into productive members of our town and someday remember this incident as a turning point in their lives.
 
jaydubya
Comments: 193
Joined: 11/05/2006
01/10/2008 05:01:53 PM
Torre, you have to let kids stretch out to learn about the world before the world teaches them some bad lessons. We all make decisions every minute of every day. Some good, some bad. It is part of growing up to make some bad ones so you learn from your mistakes. Yes, these boys made some bad decisions. But lock them up for 10 or more years, to have them raped, beaten or killed in prison. This is a good plan either. This is big, no doubt about it, but they aren't adults. Pure and simple. 15 is not an adult. Now if they were forty, then that's a whole 'nother bucket of worms.

But you are correct, parents need to watch their kids and who their kids run with. But then look at the games kids play on TV or on the computer. Where does the real world end and fantasy begin?
 
Torre
Comments: 10
Joined: 11/01/2007
01/08/2008 09:15:11 PM
The City officials have minimized the contents of the building that was burned. Anyone who has ever worked in an office environment knows that the paper work alone is enormous. The information given to the media was not accurate. The boys knew it was a workplace and yet they decided to destroy it.
Whether or not they should be tried as adults is something the judge will decide but my biggest problem is we as parents need to know where our children are and what they are doing and who they are with.
Regardless of whether they are kids or not , the parents must bare some of the responsibility. I am sure they are trying to build a base of support to insure their children are treated as juveniles as they probably should be, but on the other hand if they are indeed children and not responsible for their decisions then shouldn't they be under adult supervision and not given the freedom to roam the streets in an adult manner where temptation is on every corner? It is more difficult to be a good parent, but many parents just don't want to take the time. So sad......
 
cck36
Comments: 126
Joined: 03/29/2007
01/06/2008 02:25:05 PM
Evan, I hate to say it but you do make a good point.If these kids have a last name like Gilbert or Abney I bet they would be let off with probation and their parents would take care of a fine.In LaFayette who you are and what family you belong to can get you out of trouble in some cases.I don't think they could get away with murder but I think some thing lesser could be made to go away.The City will build a new building and we'll all pay for it no matter if they go to jail or not.I have heard the City maintenance department is moving into the old Caron spinning mill off the by-pass and will include the water, gas and electric departments.I don't see why they can't move the sewer department there too.I think these kids should be punished I don't think putting kids in prison is the right answer in some cases.
 
evanbubbafoster
Comments: 347
Joined: 04/03/2007
01/06/2008 12:11:57 PM
The sentence will be based on who they know and who they are related to. That is how the judicial systems work within the LMJCC. If they do not know the right people they will get the maximum sentence. If they know the right people they will get the minimum. If there last name is of spanish origin or if they are black they could get the death penalty. My opinion.
 
maggie
Comments: 1554
Joined: 01/08/2006
01/06/2008 08:28:08 AM
Where were their parents? I seriously doubt, even if it is moved to superior court that the judge would sentence two fifteen year olds to 20 years, but they deserve some serious consequences for what they did. Doesn't matter how old the building is or that it is paid for. It will have to be replaced and in today's economy building isn't cheap.

 
cck36
Comments: 126
Joined: 03/29/2007
01/06/2008 12:20:01 AM
I don't think these kids should be tried as adults because they are mentally not adults.If they are sentenced to twenty years in jail you might as well through their lives away.I do think they should get punished but I think they should learn some thing about being a grown up.Kids ask stupid some times because they don't have some one in their life to teach them right and wrong and some people are too in different to say anything.A hickory switch and a strong hand can make a world of difference.I know the building and it was paid for years ago I think Johnny Cash helped raise money for it so $500,000.00 is a bit high.I guess that is how much it would cost now to rebuild it.I say put them on probation picking up garbage and give them a good butt whupping and let them learn a lesson.The world don't owe you anything you have to make it on your own.
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