Pure_Ibanez_Sound
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| posted on 2004-3-26 at 23:32 |
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On a much, much, much sadder note...
The following is taken from the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"Guilty plea in Fishtown slaying"
'Justina Morley, 15, lured Jason Sweeney to his beating death in May. She will get 171/2 to 35 years in prison.'
With tears sliding down her cheeks and speaking in a small voice, 15-year-old Justina Morley pleaded guilty yesterday to third-degree murder in the
shocking beating death of Fishtown teen Jason Sweeney last year.
In exchange for her guilty plea and her promise to testify against three other teens charged in killing the 16-year-old, Morley will receive a 171/2-
to 35-year prison sentence.
If convicted of first- or second-degree murder, Morley would have faced life in prison without parole. The ninth grader is one of the youngest girls
ever charged with murder in Philadelphia.
In preparation for her guilty plea, Morley gave a 19-page signed statement to investigators on Wednesday, admitting her role in the May murder.
In it, for the first time, Morley acknowledged that she and her alleged accomplices planned the crime in the week before Sweeney was slain.
With the promise of sex, Morley lured Sweeney to a vacant lot, where three teenage boys allegedly beat him to death for the $500 he had earned working
construction with his father.
Morley told investigators that Sweeney screamed until he was beaten unconscious, according to the statement placed in evidence yesterday.
"You set me up," she said Sweeney told her as he was attacked with a hatchet, a hammer and concrete rocks.
A detective asked Morley: "How long did it take to kill Jason Sweeney?"
Morley's response: "It seemed like forever to me."
"While her participation was horrific, the way we look at it is she will do more time in jail than she has been on this earth," Edward
McCann, chief of the District Attorney's Office homicide unit, told reporters after the hearing.
McCann called the sentence "harsh but just."
As Morley quietly said "guilty" to each of the three charges - third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and robbery -
Sweeney's mother, Dawn, wept. Her husband, Paul, put his head in his hands.
Morley's mother, April Frederick, also wiped away tears during the hearing.
"I'm really sad," she told reporters afterward. "I just try to support her... get her through all this, that's the most
important thing."
Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner, who presided over the plea hearing, called Sweeney's murder a "terrible crime" but said
Morley's acceptance of responsibility was "her first step back into the light from the darkness into which her life had obviously
fallen."
Morley's attorney, William J. Brennan, said his client was "extremely remorseful about her actions."
"She's crying, and I don't think the tears are just for her. She's indicated to me on multiple occasions that she feels
terrible about what happened to Jason Sweeney, and if she could go back in time and take this action back, she would," Brennan said.
McCann said Morley's testimony would be important in convicting her alleged accomplices: Domenic Coia, 18; his brother Nicholas Coia, 17; and
Edward Batzig Jr., 17.
In her statement Wednesday, Morley described the attack for investigators.
"Eddie swung his hatchet and hit Jason in the right front side of his head, and Jason staggered. Jason touched his head and realized he was
bleeding and said, 'What are you doing?' and started to run.
"Domenic jumped on Jason and started hitting Jason on the head with his hammer. Jason was saying, 'Please, no, guys - stop -
please,' " Morley told investigators.
Afterward, she said, the boys went through Sweeney's pockets and split his money. After they fled, Morley said, the four engaged in a
"group hug."
She said she did not hit Sweeney; confessions allegedly taken from Batzig and Domenic Coia at the time of their arrest corroborate that
information.
"She, of course, is in our view the best person to reach an agreement with, because she didn't strike any blows," McCann said.
He added that there would be no plea agreements with the Coias or Batzig.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Domenic Coia could face the death penalty. Prosecutors decided they would not seek the death penalty against
Nicholas Coia or Batzig.
Prosecutors were precluded by law from seeking the death penalty against Morley, because she was under 16 when the crime was committed. She is
scheduled to be sentenced in May.
Personal Note: I would like to send my prayers to the Sweeney family as I know they are going through a tough time.
If it were up to you to decide the fate of the killers, what would you sentence them? If it were up to me, I would kill them all the exact same way
they killed Jason.
one last show.
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little_lady
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| posted on 2004-3-26 at 23:39 |
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That is such a disturbing story, I had heard of it.
But..this article really gave quite a descriptive scenario...
quotation:
"Afterward, she said, the boys went through Sweeney's pockets and split his money. After they fled, Morley said, the four engaged
in a "group hug." "
Those bastards.
you won't let me down...
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Reivax
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| posted on 2004-3-26 at 23:56 |
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That's disgusting.
I agree with you, Chris. I don't believe people are punished severely enough for crimes of this nature. I know there is always more to it, but I
feel like people that murder people don't deserve to live.
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=reivax
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Pure_Ibanez_Sound
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 00:58 |
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Ya and I hate it how the people set to death row must get the extra percautionary swipe of alcohol on their wrist, just to avoid infection. Jesus
christ, if the man/woman is going to die, why are you trying to prevent him from getting an infection?
If you kill someone with a hammer, you should be killed with a hammer. End of story!
one last show.
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Paige_x0x
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 02:31 |
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Something like that happened at my school a few months ago. A boy owed money to a guy that sold him weed and he didn't have the money to pay him
back, so 3 guys beat him with hammers. He's paralyzed from the waist down now. If the cops hadn't showed up, I wouldn't be surprised
if they had killed him.
The night's as hot as hell. It's a lousy room in a lousy part of a lousy town - I'm staring at a goddess. She's telling me she
wants me. I'm not going to waste one more minute wondering how I've gotten this lucky. She smells like angels ought to smell, the perfect
woman... the Goddess. Goldie. She says her name is Goldie.
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Pure_Ibanez_Sound
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 02:51 |
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Simply put, what a disgusting world we live in.
one last show.
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little_lady
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 03:07 |
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It's shocking what society has come to be in the world we live in today.
Personally, I have always been a strong believer that one person can make a difference...it's about time someone takes a stand on
such atrocities as this one.
There is no excuse for what they did to Jason, none.
I've never been someone to purposely wish harm to other people, I find that to be quite immoral and egotistic, however..on a situation like
this, it really makes you wonder just what punishment would be good enough for these 'monsters'.
Yes, in my opinion that's what they are.
I strongly believe that the death penalty is the worst sentence that could be given to these 'kids'. Once they are dead, they
wouldn't hurt anymore, nor they would have to live with the fact that they brutally murdered someone who had done NOTHING against them.
I think that keeping them alive, while suffering IS the way to go. Not killing them. That wouldn't do anything, it's like stealing candy
from a shop and getting away with it. The harm's already been done.
That's my view on it, at least.
-Dez
you won't let me down...
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Reivax
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 03:34 |
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I know alot of people feel the death penalty is wrong and that people will suffer more with their guilt. But if someone can brutally kill a person you
don't even know, I doubt they will feel remoursful. And who really cares if they do? So, 15 years down the road the murderer feels bad...so
what? Alot of the regret is simply because they don't want to be in jail. I don't see what the point of cooping up thousands of murderers
is going to do. Who knows, maybe if people were punished more for their horrific crimes, it might not happen so frequently.
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=reivax
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little_lady
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 03:56 |
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But, if someone kills a person...and then that person is killed, it continues the cycle of violence in society.
Taking someone's life is no joke, whether they've commited a crime as serious as murder, or even if they havent.
you won't let me down...
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Reivax
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 04:06 |
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But you alluded to the fact that you feel they shouldn't die simply because they would suffer more in life. So, either way, you and I both just
feel they should suffer what we feel is the worst punishment.
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=reivax
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little_lady
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 04:25 |
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Oh yeah, don't get me wrong.
I'm not saying that they should just be let loose.
But..they should be like fucked by a donkey or something, I don't know...
you won't let me down...
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tremendous
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 15:01 |
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quotation:
Originally posted by Pure_Ibanez_Sound
If you kill someone with a hammer, you should be killed with a hammer. End of story!
i couldn't disagree more. if some sicko kills someone by horrific torture, you want them to be killed by horrific torture? who will carry this
out?
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Pure_Ibanez_Sound
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 15:06 |
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Ahh shit, another trying to bring humor into a horrible subject gone wrong. Sorry Bart, I was kinda joking. But this is more like my true opinion:
The kids that committed this murder are 15, 17, and 18 years old. Just because they took a life, doesn't mean we(the rest of the world) should
take 4 more. That makes no sense at all. I hate the "eye for an eye" thing. It's so pointless.
one last show.
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tremendous
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 15:49 |
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and how exactly were we supposed to tell that you meant the complete opposite of what you said? it doesn't make sense to assume people will spot
your sarcasm/humour in a thread which is not upbeat in the least.
i don't mean to sound like i'm having a hack.
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Chris
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 16:25 |
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i concur with "tremendous".
ta bi
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Jeff K
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 18:55 |
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"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." - Mahatma Ghandi
I've been a strong opponent of the death penalty ever since I started learning about social issues. The above quote is part of my reasoning.
However, I feel an example will further clarify the reasons for my opinions.
Let's take America as an example. They execute a lot of people. The States is a good place, I like going there to visit relatives. There are
nice people and they have good food. America is also a very nationalist country. That is they've got a lot of pride and feel that
they're the best country in the world in pretty much every context. Excessive Hubris is a bad thing though, it blinds you to the truth of the
situation.
If you were to go up to an average American, or Canadian or European for that matter, and ask them why their country is the best I'm sure they
would give a lengthy answer which would include aspects of civilization.
IF America is the most civilized/enlightened/best country in the world, why is it still executing hundreds of its citizens?
Life is life, we have to face that fact. When the state takes the life of another they speak for the majority of people. In essence, taking any life
brings the people of a country down to the level of the one who took life in the first place (Murderer, rapist etc).
I would not be comfortable knowing that the state was acting in my trust and taking human lives.
There are also legal reasons. It is often held that there are many on death row who did not commit the crimes for which they were sentenced to death.
This is a reason used by many anti-death penalty advocates. It's also the situation presented in 'The Life of David Gale."
[Edited on 27-3-04 by Jeff K]
http://www.westpointrock.com
http://www.myspace.com/westpoint
.WAR IS OVER - If you want it.
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Sin Ogaris
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 23:36 |
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Death is an escape. I don't believe it is a suitable punishment for anything. I say, lock the worst of them in a hole and give them some crumbs
and some water every now and then. Maybe beat them with a stick or get Big Bill to have his way with them once a week. But I would never, ever
consider killing someone. Once they're dead that's it, they can't feel any more pain. That doesn't sound very fitting to me.
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little_lady
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 23:41 |
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I'm certainly glad to see we all agree on this.
you won't let me down...
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tremendous
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| posted on 2004-3-27 at 23:51 |
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i'm undecided.
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Jeff K
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| posted on 2004-3-28 at 03:16 |
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You simply cannot punish a human being inhumanely. That means you can't stick them in a hole and beat them.
We're supposed to be a civilized race (I'm aware of the irony that the case of murder brings into this situation). Civilized beings do
not torture and kill one another. If we want to think of ourselves as enlightened we cannot stoop to these levels.
http://www.westpointrock.com
http://www.myspace.com/westpoint
.WAR IS OVER - If you want it.
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Pure_Ibanez_Sound
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| posted on 2004-3-28 at 03:58 |
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Would you guys prefer old methods of Japaneese torture(not a joke)?
They drove people insane way back when, by doing such things as sticking them under a continous flow of dripping water.
Is that equal to say, throwing them in a whole?
one last show.
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armour_guitarist
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| posted on 2004-3-28 at 09:38 |
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quotation:
Originally posted by Sin Ogaris
Death is an escape. I don't believe it is a suitable punishment for anything. I say, lock the worst of them in a hole and give them some crumbs
and some water every now and then. Maybe beat them with a stick or get Big Bill to have his way with them once a week. But I would never, ever
consider killing someone. Once they're dead that's it, they can't feel any more pain. That doesn't sound very fitting to me.
i agree with jeff, you cannot torture people and call yourself civilized. and the "Big Bill" thing: have you seen the movie
"sleepers"? it is with Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, and Billy Crudup, and it deals with that situation. it is a
very disturbing movie, but it is very good. if you have not seen it see it, and maybe it will alter your point of veiw a bit, it did for me.
quotation:
Originally posted by Jeff K
That is they've got a lot of pride and feel that they're the best country in the world in pretty much every context.
actually you'd be supprised at how un-pround a large majority of americans are... like myself, sure i like my country and all, but we do so many
terrible and stupid things that i dont agree with, it's hard for me to feel proud to be an american. i can think of so many other countries i
would rather live in.
Some things take more than a lifetime.
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Chris
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| posted on 2004-3-28 at 18:28 |
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"kill a man in war and you're a hero. kill a man at home and you're a murderer."
ta bi
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RobH
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| posted on 2004-3-28 at 22:15 |
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I think, besides the moral question of whether or not it is right to kill killers, we should ask how much faith we have that the people being
convicted are actually guilty. How many stories have come out in the last 5 or 10 years with innocent people being exhonerated after spending years in
jail for crimes they didn't commit. Had the death penalty been enforced, their vindication would have been pretty pointless.
www.sluggy.com
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Jeff K
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| posted on 2004-3-29 at 00:16 |
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I didn't mean to generalize Americans, sorry if it was taken that way. Americans are good people, I just have a problem with their governments.
http://www.westpointrock.com
http://www.myspace.com/westpoint
.WAR IS OVER - If you want it.
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