The arson, triggered by the beating death of 14-year-old Christopher D. Jones, brought punishment well beyond state sentencing guidelines. It also was much greater than anyone involved in the incidents surrounding Jones' death received, including the teens implicated in the manslaughter.
Prior to sentencing, Jonathan R. Myers, 23, of Crofton asked Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner for leniency in the incident last spring. His defense detailed a...
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Outrageous - 2009-12-14 13:37:05
15 years for what is essentially property damage? To the commenter that suggested reverse racism, nock it off. Race has little to do with this case. The disparities in sentencing guidelines have been catching young black men up for a long time. It is a shame that the murderers got off, while this guy got 15. what he did was reckless, dangerous, and could have ended in death for the family. I agree he deserves to do a little time, but people kill people and get off lighter than that. The judge needs his head examined.
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brent Barbour - owings mills, md - Karma: Neutral
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contact your legislators - 2009-12-12 21:07:12
Ok, since no one apparently wants to comprehend and/or accept the law as it stands - I'll suggest that you contact your legislators and lobby for blended sentences or some other alternative to extend sentences beyond Maryland's traditional juvenile jurisdiction. There are many other previous horrendous matters where "kids" go free at 21 regardless of the crime or their behavior while under supervision. And since these people were charged as juveniles and therefore their crimes kept confidential, the public as no idea just how many monsters are set free at 21.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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What?!! - 2009-12-12 20:11:48
These murderers get 5 years for taking this kids life and setting fire to a door gets you 15 years? The courts are a joke! I agree with Jo, if this was the other way around, this would not stand. When will common sense prevail?
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r jackson - stevensville, md - Karma: Neutral
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that 'crap' - 2009-12-11 08:37:25
is the law, you can complain about it all you want, but there are legal guidelines as to whom can be tried in the respective jurisdictions.
And just so that I'm clear - I am in agreement that the juvenile sentences don't meet the crime committed. But again, it's the maximum under the law.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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that's - 2009-12-11 08:01:03
why the try some as adults. I don't what to hear this adult vs. juvie crap. The 15 year old and his little band of thugs targeted Chris Jones, so much his parents pulled him out of school. So this was not a random incident, where they were walking down the street and hit him and he died. For what I hear this had been going on for months. So 5 years in his death, not even in the ballpark.
Now 15 years for a fire-bombing, that I will say probably would have never happened if Christopher Jones was still alive. It does not make sense to me. Hope his lawyer has some appeal for this stupid judgement.
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Pat Magnum - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad
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the law - 2009-12-10 22:08:43
The disparity in the sentences of the firebomber and the murderers lies in adult v. juvenile law. Yes - Judges make lenient sentencing decisions frequently in AACO. But when you're dealing with respndents in juvenile court and defendants in adult court - the two are totally different. While the average person would understandably be upset about the outcomes of these cases, the Judges have imposed the maximum sentences allowed under the different jurisdictions.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Justice... - 2009-12-10 14:35:10
Yep, it's a joke alright. It happens all the time. Drug dealers often get heavier sentences than convicted murderers. This is why I have no faith in the courts or the government. Too many decisions are made based political influence, greed or a lust for power.
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Mike Morgan - annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent
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What a sad day.... - 2009-12-10 13:34:42
Fire bombing where no one get's hurt= 15 years
Mob of fifteen people surround a much smaller boy and eventually kill him oh well we're only going to charge the two that actually hit him and even then we're going to spank them and send them home to kill again.... What is this world coming to????
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leslie wilson - crofton, md - Karma: Neutral
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def exceeded - 2009-12-10 11:22:27
He is not a bad guy, I for one know him and he was trying to make good changes in his life. He had a rough up-bringing and made poor a decision. But he was trying to better himself. I saw that he was, so dont go judging someone for a poor choice since you dont even know him.
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Michael Payne - Gambrills, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Clearly - 2009-12-09 19:22:39
The guy is a bad guy and a criminal, but then why wasn't he in jail anyway. another judge making a bad call.
But murder deserves 15 years at least don't you think. I am sure Christopher Jones mother would agree.
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Pat Magnum - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-09 19:06:14
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nobody's happy - 2009-12-09 16:48:02
A Judge steps up to the plate and delivers a harsh punishment - something people in previous posts have begged for in all types of cases in this county - and all that is read regarding this article is more complaining. As for the difference in sentencing - it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with juv v. adult law.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Welcome - 2009-12-09 15:54:05
Welcome to political correctness.
Need I say more?
except I agree you guys. Double Standard.
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David Cross - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Exceeded - 2009-12-09 15:03:06
And the judge exceeded the recommended guidelines in the sentence time!!! Proof positive we are living in a time of extreme reverse racism.... If these sentences between the murderer and the pyro were reversed you better darn site believe that the NAACP etc. would be up in arms over this.
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Jo Maize - Edgewater, md - Karma: Excellent
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15 years........ - 2009-12-09 12:43:41
there must something about this story i missed....the murderer gets five and the guy who lose's his friend gets 15......am i reading this wrong ???
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stanley davis - mayo, md - Karma: Terrible
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-09 12:21:52
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Yep - 2009-12-09 12:19:30
White boy gets more time for arson than a murderer, go figure. How long before they delete this and don't allow people to comment on this?
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Steven Ireland - riva, md - Karma: Excellent
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Amazing - 2009-12-09 12:17:29
15 years for firebombing which under no circumstances is acceptable but there was no loss of life yet a child is murdered and 5 years in juvie and then out. There truly is zero justice in this world.
What this man did, there is no excuse for, ever.This sentence diminishes the death of Christopher Jones.
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