Get Schooled

By Swan

June 8, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m a bit confused on the facts. I was under the impression from an earlier article that the police didn’t know at first which students had committed the vandalism at Jonesboro High School. The Mount Zion students, on the other hand, were caught in the act. So naturally, they would be arrested first. But I may not have all the facts right and welcome hearing more about it.

I have a difficult time with activists complaining. The Jonesboro students are facing felony charges while the Mount Zion students, are not being charged at all.

With that said, the weeping mothers need to pull themselves together. These students did damage to public property and need to face the consequences. If this had been done to their homes, these mothers would expect those those did the damage to be charged. So let’s put away the hankies.

I’m not sure this is worth a felony charge, but the judge may be trying to send a message that school vandalism will not be tolerated. I’m sick of it myself since the taxpayers will ultimately pay to clean up the damage. A night in jail might wake these kids up a little.

By vk

June 8, 2005 04:03 PM | Link to this

What a smart judge to allow the students to actually witness our judicial system from the inside.

I feel the mothers of these boys need to get a grip and be thankful the judge is just holding them for one night. $7000 worth of damage is justification to have the boys clean the stinky prank up themselves.

To raise money for the paint and materials they will need, maybe they could sell tickets to the cleanup. I’d come and bring my two boys to show what happens when you take a senior prank too far.

By Another Teacher

June 8, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

Absolutely these boys should face a felony charge, and a night in jail may be more instructive than many of the classes they have taken. To be honest, I am impressed that the school and police investigation resulted in arrests. I really didn’t think we would hear any more about this crime. I am assuming that the ten students at Mt. Zion h.s. did not have the same opportunity to perpetrate much damage because they were caught in the act, and that is why the charges against them were dropped. However, since they were caught in the act, they did have that one instructive night in jail to learn from. Let’s not forget also, that none of these seventeen students is guilty of anything as yet. They are simply charged with a crime. However, you can probably count on these 17 sharing with their peers the horror and fear they no doubt did and will feel while in jail. Again, I truly believe that is a good thing.

From my perspective as a high school teacher and a parent, most young people today need to learn that there are consequences to all decisions—-good and bad. Most young people have too much of everything—-free time, gadgets, money, etc. All parents have the ambition that we will do what we can to give our children a better life than we had as teenagers. Probably a big mistake, big mistake in today’s society and culture.

By jon

June 9, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

Remember what happened to Anthony Soprano when he vandalized the school swimming pool?

By Mr. M

June 9, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

Yes, I agree that these students should face consequences for their actions. However, when you look at the situation of a senior prank this is not a new phenomenon. My issue with this situation is the fact of these young men bening charged with a felony offense for vandalism. To me this is a little extrem. In reading the articles and what was provided by the local news stations most of these students where “A” students whom had no previous school problems or criminal history. With that said, the stigma of a felony charge for a prank gone bad is a bit much. I can understand the judge trying to set an example, especially with all the violence taking place in Clayton County, but to do it in this situation in my opinion is the worng decision. If this felony charge sticks with these young men it will have a determental impact on their furture education (i.e acceptance into school, scholorships, etc.), also including their future employment oppertunities, and possible voting rights. Overall, I think for this being a first offence for these young men a felony charge is too harsh. There has to be consequences for their actions, however lets not use this as a time to hampper the futures of these men, but to use this as a chance to help guide and refocus them and others. We all need to think back to some foolish things we have done as students/adults and just be thankful we weren’t caught!

By Lisa

June 9, 2005 09:37 AM | Link to this

A crime is a crime regardless if the person committing the crime was an “A” student. The students need to know that there is a consequence for each action they take. That’s called life and that is reality. The reality is they premeditated to cause damage and destruction to someone’s property - the taxpayer’s. They should be charged in some capacity with the crime and pay full restitution - do the time and pay with a fine (to cover all costs.)

By abc

June 9, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

Prank, schmank. What should allow latitude for such destructiveness, only because these kids are seniors in high school? Felony charges and restitution, charged as adults, are in order, just the same as if any other adult had committed the crimes.

By slim1975

June 9, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

I think that being charged with a felony is a bit extreme. I agree w/vk. Make them clean it up and pay for their own supplies. I think a night in jail is a good idea. But a felony charge could ruin their chances of a promising career. It was senior prank taken too far.

By T.R.

June 9, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this

While I am still on the fence about charging the Jonesoboro High studnets with a felony, I have a problem with the reasoning behind the argument against it as being that it will stay on their record and hurt their future.

If these kids are making all As and are honors students, that’s all the more reason they should have thought twice before doing this! That’s worse than a repeat offender. These kids should know better. I think it should be on their record somewhere. Throwing a water baloon is a prank. Destroying school property to the tune of $7,000 is not. That’s a crime, not a prank.

I can bet you that if someone had done $7,000 worth of damage to these students’ own personal property, they would be singing a different tune.

These kids need to know that their crying mothers can’t get them out of a jam when they do something wrong. It’s called growing up. These students obviously have not done it completely.

By MC

June 9, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this

They get what they deserve. They are no longer children, but adults, and when you commit a crime, you must pay. We had better stop being so lax with all these kids and start holding them to the fire. If anyone thinks this is too harsh for them, instead of punishing them, make them enlist in the military; their choice of branch.
Sgt. C USMC

By JG

June 9, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

These “A” students, just like all students, have to learn to think about consequences to their actions. Jail time, fines, court fees, etc, are consequences of vandalizing and detroying property. It’s hard growing up as fast as they did, and it’s humiliating.
As far as ruining thier futures, maybe yes, and maybe no. If they don’t let it, then it won’t. Isn’t there something called youthful offender, where, if the person reaches a certain age and hasn’t committed any more crimes (and yes, this is a crime), their record is cleared? Am I wrong on that?

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this

White folks have no problem sending black kids to prison at ages 12years(The Tate Kid in FLA.)But lord have mercy if their little Johnny is face with paying the piper,all kinds of excuses for not sending him to jail comes out of the woodwork. Yes lord justice is not blind,even Stevie Wonder can see past the double standard.

By Jack

June 9, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this

SHouldn’t these teens be able to plea the same way the run-a-way bride did so that if they stay out of trouble for the next year or so the felony will not show on their record. I personally think that since there is so much media attention and the fact that some balcks at another school that were caught doing the same thing but not to the extent of damages , the judge is showing these teens that if you do the crime you can do time. After todays bond hearing don’t be surprised to see the charges reduced.

By Sylvia

June 9, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this

James Mc Coy - the Tate boy that you are referring to was just arrested a few weeks ago for armed robbery. Maybe you should try to come up with a better example to illustrate your conviction that white’s get special treatment.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 01:33 PM | Link to this

Maybe if the criminal justice system would have recognize when he was 12 that prison wasn’t the place for him,we wouldn’t be dealing with a repeat offender. In case you don’t realize 12 years old in a prison setting is a hell of a thing on a young mind. Why do you think these white folks are crying the blues about little johnny’s one night in the slammer. Because they know it’s not something productive for their child.

By Horrified

June 9, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this

Good grief. If my 12 year old killed a 6 year old girl, I think prison would be the perfect place for him to be. Someone needs to teach these kids a lesson. It isn’t being done at home. If you do something wrong, there are consequences. You can’t blame everything on someone else’s “mistreatment” of you. We must teach these kids to take responsibility for their own actions. Be it murder or vandalism.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 01:47 PM | Link to this

If you remember in the Tate case the child was killed during a re-enactment of a wrestling show. So how many excuses have the criminal justice system made for whites kids in this country? They go to rehab and Yale while little Boo-Boo goes to jail. Just look at the chances accord the “runaway bride” and she still getting the benifits of the system. If she had been from Bankhead Courts she would have been underneath the jailhouse.

By Danielle

June 9, 2005 02:39 PM | Link to this

The Tate boy did not reinact a Wrestling move. He beat the girl, but used the wrestling as an excuse. His mom was a cop off duty and she yelled twice for the girl to be quiet while babysitting instead of going to see what was happening. The Tate boy was far from innocent. (This was on a night time program). As far as the boys vandalizing the school. They should be prosecuted as anyone else. How many times do we say there should be a consequence for your actions? Well, they get what they deserve!

By vk

June 9, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

As I stated earlier, I feel these kids should pay for vandalizing their school and clean the mess up themselves. It’s not a race issue. Wrong is wrong!

The issue a hand is should these kids be held accountable. The kids are in jail right now. They are seeing first hand what accountability means.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 02:57 PM | Link to this

My point in using the Tate kid was to show that locking up a 12 year old kid is wrong,no matter what color he is. But the system don’t work that way,social,economics and racial factors are always at play in deciding who goes to rehab and who goes to jail. And if you think things have changed in America and Georgia to the extent that they don’t then I have some ocean front property in Buckhead for sale.

By vk

June 9, 2005 03:15 PM | Link to this

The issue at hand is the judges decission an over-reaction or a senior prank. I’m sorry I am white, I’m sorry for the Tate child and I’m sorry I posted on this blog. I thought this blog was about the seven students who vandlized their school and are being charged with a felony, not about the injustifications in the world and Georgia. That is my only point.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 03:23 PM | Link to this

Maybe if you open your eyes to what’s going on in other parts of the community you wouldn’t take things so hard.

By Lesli

June 9, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this

To James McCoy… the reason that the Tate child was convicted the way that he was is because his mother refused a plea agreement before he ever went to court. Since that time, he was given the opportunity to revisit this plea agreement and accepted it. This is not typical in the juducual system, no matter what race you are. In addition, it has been determined that he has violated his probation by possessing a weapon, but was “given a break” and his probation was not revoked. With the most recent charge, the possibility of his serving some additional time has just now come to light. No matter how you slice it, it would appear that he has been given several opportunities to clean up his act but has chosen not to. The topic of today’s blog is how appropriate it is for these young people to spend the night in jail after having committed a crime. As a parent of 2 teenagers, I would want my child to go to jail. I would hope that some short-term discomfort might prevent some long-term life issues. Just FYI, my kids are neither white, nor named Johnny.

By vk

June 9, 2005 03:31 PM | Link to this

I was being sarcastic.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this

Lesli,I would love for you to volunteer your kids for a stay in jail and after one year,you wouldn’t want to be around them. And please stop playing this color blind society game,because race matters no matter how you may not want it to be.

By Lesli

June 9, 2005 03:46 PM | Link to this

James, It is quite possible that I would not want to be around my children after being in jail for a year. However, I believe that it is much more likely that I would not want to be around them if they were never forced to be accountable for their actions, especially if their actions caused the death of another human being. Unfortunately saying your sorry will not undo the harm that has already been done. As to race, I understand that race is a factor in many aspects of life and that the playing field is not always quite level. However, I don’t believe that using the race card to avoid personal responsibility will ever move society any closer to real equality.

By James McCoy

June 9, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

Lesli,you can’t play a card unless you have a hand to deal it with. I’ll admitt there are some folks who see a snake around every corner. And they seem to be the ones who get the attention. I don’t think we have any leadership in this country or state who are willing to deal directly with ongoing problems of race and economics.

By Rena P

June 9, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this

I have very mixed feelings about this. I’m glad that the judge made them spend a night in jail. I think more than 1-night in jail is too drastic for any kid this age, no matter what the crime. Our children DO NOT belong in jail no matter what color they are. When our children commit crimes it should tell us as a civilized society that they need help! I hope the experience of staying in jail 1-night will be an experience they’ll never forget.

But I have to admit. They seem like spoiled little mama’s boys. The weeping mom’s don’t realize it’s the best thing for their little darlings to have to face their own music. It will make them better men. Parents have to get more tough with their kids. That old saying is so true when you’re a parent “this is going to hurt me a lot more than it hurts you� Because it always does. My heart goes out to the moms. But they should be happy that the kids were caught and it wasn’t more serious trouble than what it is.

On the other hand, as a struggling single mom with a son going to Kennesaw State University on the Hope Scholarshop, it sickens me that this is the kind of qualified child that gets a scholarship to Georgia Tech. ;>(

By darryl

June 9, 2005 05:04 PM | Link to this

Felony charge? No way! Why mess up a kid’s life, for the rest of his life, because he was stupid for a few minutes when he was 18?

I think that having these kids work for the county for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, for the entire summer, should just about take care of the 7 grand and more importantly teach these guys to respect others’ property.

By James McCoy

June 10, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

Have any of you “Color don’t matter” folk seen this morning head lines? Seems like the Judge and District Attoney has drop all charges in favor of them going to school and getting an education. It’s too bad the 50,000 that are now in Georgia’s prison system didn’t get the same break. But it’s like I pointed out yesterday,it’s not what you did but who you know and are that keeps your butt out of prison.

By bh

June 10, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this

As a white teacher in the Ga public school system, I have to agree with James. Every day I see kids punished for wrongdoings but the punishments are not fair. The black students and the Latino students seem to be punished far more severly than the spoiled white students.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

June 10, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

Thanks BH, for pointing out the facts. I don’t like to look at everything as a racial issue, but sometimes it’s very blatant. The punishment should be the same, no matter how much your family complains or if the person being punished looks like you or your child.

I don’t care how many A’s these students received or that they have never been in trouble. Anything over $500 damage is a felony in this state and $7,000 is excessive. I do believe that in this state, A person writing a bad check for $500 would be charged with a felony. Spray painting a bridge or building outside of school for that amount of money would result in the same charge as writing a bad check.

I would think that “A” students would not have been involved with this type of prank in the first place. I’m sure they knew the law about destruction of private and public property. That’s a “NO Brainer”.

By me

June 10, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this

I seem to have read recently the 10 students at Mt. Zion caught in the act of vandalizing their school were released too.

By DB

June 13, 2005 01:42 PM | Link to this

All of you who think a felony is too harsh, what would you think if these kids stole and totalled your $7000 car? This not a prank. This was a selfish criminal act. Besides, you can get many jobs today even with a felony because too many people have felonies. It’s just tougher, and that’s what they deserve. The reason we have bars on convenience store windows, daily rapes, daily muggings, daily shootings, and the like is because we don’t hold people accountable for their actions by allowing too many to get off easy. Also, the felony charge will probably be pled down to a high misdemeanor for a guilty plea. They should spend at least a few months in the slammer and have to pay for and repair everything before they go in. And for the crying moms, what a joke. They tend to follow their kids around bailing them out for the rest of their life. The only reason those parents should be crying is because they know they’ve failed as parents. They should be pushing the judge to treat them harshly so they don’t have to go following them around for the rest of their lives.