Say What Now? 8-Year-Old Biracial Boy Gets Hung By a Group of White Teens,
Police Won’t Release Information About the Case
Cassandra Merlin’s 8-year-old son had to be flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center after a group of teens decided to hang him from a tree with a rope. She described the incident on Facebook, writing
“So my son is being flown to Dartmouth after a 14 year old kid decided to hang him from a tree. I don’t care if this was a so called accident or not. My son almost died because of some little sh** teenage kids.” (sic)
Not only did Cassandra almost lose her son in a racially motivated attack, but now the police department is refusing to release information about those responsible.
via Raw Story :
NH1.com said that Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase refused to comment on the case, but said the department is investigating the incident, which took place on Aug. 28. He said that because the perpetrators are juveniles, he is prevented from discussing the case publicly.
He said that unlike the adult judicial system, which is aimed at punishment, the juvenile justice system is designed to correct and rehabilitate aberrant behavior.
“These people need to be protected,” Chase said. “Mistakes they make as a young child should not have to follow them for the rest of their life.”
“Notice how he called these predators ‘young children,’” wrote Helm, “infantilizing the white teens. Conversely, teens like Trayvon Martin are made out to be hulking, menacing adults. Chief Chase seems to be centering the perpetrators feelings and futures, all but forgetting about the trauma of a little boy who had his so-called friends hang him from a tree to the point where he had to be medevaced to a hospital.”
According to the victim’s grandmother Lorrie Slattery, he was playing with a group of children and teens when they began to taunt him with racist epithets and throw sticks and rocks at him.
Someone stood on a picnic table and the group wrapped a rope from a nearby tire swing around the boy’s throat, then kicked him off the table.
The victim swung back and forth three times before he was able to free himself. None of the teens came to his aid.
NH1.com said Chief Chase refused to state whether the crime was racially motivated, although accounts of the incident make it clear the attack was based on the child’s race.
Slattery told Valley News it’s clear to her that the attack was racist because her grandson has been targeted for racist abuse from the same group of children and teens in the past.
Her grandson is recovering now and preparing for his first day of school on Tuesday.
Helm wrote, “Welcome to Donald Trump’s America. Say what you want, but when the U.S. president defends avowed white supremacists, one can’t be surprised when bullying takes on a decidedly racist tone as it did with an 8-year-old biracial boy who was hung from a tree in the year 2017. The climate has been set.”
If you’d like to let the Claremont police know how you feel about this, feel free to give the station a ring at ( 603) 542-9538.
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So many topics involved with this near tragic incident. What is going on?? Who plays like this anymore?
"play"?
According to the victim’s grandmother Lorrie Slattery, he was playing with a group of children and teens when they began to taunt him with racist epithets and throw sticks and rocks at him.
It stopped being "play" when it traversed to "hate" speech and "hate" attacks. The question is "Who hates like this anymore?"
The answer, as you well know, is white supremacists.
Helm wrote, “Welcome to Donald Trump’s America. Say what you want, but when the U.S. president defends avowed white supremacists, one can’t be surprised when bullying takes on a decidedly racist tone as it did with an 8-year-old biracial boy who was hung from a tree in the year 2017. The climate has been set.”
Helm wrote, “Welcome to Donald Trump’s America. Say what you want, but when the U.S. president defends avowed white supremacists, one can’t be surprised when bullying takes on a decidedly racist tone as it did with an 8-year-old biracial boy who was hung from a tree in the year 2017. The climate has been set.”
Very scary. Racial issues aside, the age difference has my attention. I read another article that suggested that the older boys were goading him into putting his neck into the rope. I don't let my 8 year old go running around with my teenager and his buddies for this reason. That's the type of stupid stuff I envision happening. Little idiots. Maybe they are racist bastards too. Regardless, extremely disturbing.
09/11/17 02:39:14PM @transyferous-rex
These are "mean kids" on steroids. What kind of game requires a kid's neck placed in a poorly contrived noose? Teenagers, who do not know what heads in ropes signify! Isn't this the 'New Day of The Klan' in some popular culture areas? What will come next, a throat-cutting 'Day of ISIS'?!!
Forgive me, I am a tad rattled by the picture and the close call it represents. Like many of you before I read the story, I was nervous about what this image conveys.
Again, the situation is a number of teens and an 8 year old. Apparently, the boy plays around or hangs around the group of teens frequently, and bullying is something he has experienced from this group in the past.
New Klan? I don't think so. Mean spirited? Probably more like it. Its a bad combo. Mean spirited teens and one 8 year old boy. Nothing good will come of that. As I noted before, I don't trust my youngest around the oldest and his buddies for this reason, and they are good kids. Kids do ignorant stuff as it is. Throw a little ill will into the mix...
I'd expect the state to take this seriously.
Re: 09/12/17 10:01:33AM @transyferous-rex
Thank you! Your post reminds me of several past tragedies:
Boy, 14, arrested in fatal body slam - Authorities say 6-year-old foster sister was thrown down four times ;
Boy Convicted of Murder in Wrestling Death -A 13-year-old South Florida boy who said he accidentally killed a 6-year-old girl while imitating professional wrestling moves was convicted of first-degree murder today and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. ;
La. boy, 13, sentenced to 3 years for killing sister, 5, with pro wrestling moves .
“Mistakes they make as a young child should not have to follow them for the rest of their life.”
... unless they are black.
"Chief Chase seems to be centering the perpetrators feelings and futures, all but forgetting about the trauma of a little boy who had his so-called friends hang him from a tree to the point where he had to be medevaced to a hospital.”
I KNOW what the Chief is saying and the Chief is right on the merits. It is all the more reason why EVERYBODY should get a fair trial and equally important qualitative legal representation in court. This fourteen year old did a terrible thing and the juvenile justice system should not go easy of him. What if he has done it before. . .what if he does this again?!
I think that the parents of the perpetrators should be forced to explain themselves on national tv. Dr. Phil might be an appropriate forum.
Oo-o-o-h. This could have gone so very wrong: An eight year old gone; A fourteen year old with dangerous tendencies who truly needs a counselor, strong family member, and/or a psychologist/psychiatrist to talk to; a 'host' of co-conspirators. All lives and families traumatized. This is the 'Dylan Roof experience' if I can be so bold to go there.
'The Village'* needs to get busy to fix this. Now!
_______________________________________
* It takes a village. — H. Clinton
“These people need to be protected,” Chase said. “Mistakes they make as a young child should not have to follow them for the rest of their life.”
WTF, is the Sheriff nuts!!! Mistake, lynching an 8 year old is a frickin' mistake. Doesn't he think that the 8 year old is going to suffer not just from the wounds on his neck but from almost being lynched.
A mistake? Deliberately trying to take the life of another human being is just a 'mistake'? It would seem that the weak excuse and more or less defending statement of the perps by the Sheriff shows some racial bias on his part as well. Not the kind of Sheriff that any town needs, especially, when it comes to helpless children being physically abused and attacked by much older teens that threatens their life. No town deserves a Sheriff with a mind set that puts innocent and helpless children at risk of attack by others like those who are that intolerant and racially biased.
Just my own opinion.
I actually doubt that they were deliberately trying to murder him, I just think that they were extremely ignorant about the danger of the stupid game they were playing. That said, typically it's the ignorant white kids who are the ones that get the judge's sympathy. The black ones get the Tamir Rice treatment, or spend the next few decades behind bars. They can't plead affluenza.
Anyone remember the black Fla. mom who got 20 years in prison for firing warning shots to deter the man that was abusing her? The judge basically ruled that stand your ground does not apply to black people.
I feel sorry for her. I'm sure she was acting in the moment, and the dude is lucky she shot into the air. Unfortunately, that is still assault with a deadly weapon. Although, I think I'd have had a hard time finding her guilty if I was on the jury. She tried SYG, and the judge didn't buy it, as I recall, because she actually went to the garage to get the gun instead of leaving. So, her case went to a jury, who also apparently didn't buy it. Again, I'd have a hard time finding her guilty, but I wasn't in the jury box. Michael Dunn was convicted, although not for the count related to the boy he actually killed.
Hal, I respect that you have your own viewpoints on event, but, I can't believe that young adults such as those who were abusing the 8 y/o boy were not aware of what they were doing and the consequences that could result from their actions. It is clear what the intent was, and the fact that they failed in their intention is just Blessing for the 8 y/o who was able to survive. The perps should be held accountable for their actions. If not, then they will continue to feel they are above the law and free to attack other innocent children and claim it was simply a 'mistake' or 'accident'. Letting them off with such an excuse will only act to encourage others to feel they can do the same and get away with it.
IMO, the fact that it was racially motivated is over and above the fact that they tried to take the life of an innocent and helpless young human being, no matter what the color of his skin or ethnic background.
I agree - they clearly knew the consequences that could result from their actions. But kids sometimes think they are invincible, and it's not going to happen to them. When I was young, my friends and I used to do crazy shit that I knew could paralyze one of us for life, but it wasn't going to happen to me. Thankfully it didn't, and if I see some kids I care about doing crazy shit, I do what I can to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.
It's a serious statement to imply that a dumbass kid is intentionally trying to murder someone. In addition to being reckless, these kids probably didn't have the capacity to understand the physics of what they were trying to do, and how wrong it could go. Maybe I'm wrong and they are crazed killers, but Occam's razor suggests otherwise.
The problem is getting the sympathy once they're caught doing stupid shit. Tamir Rice and others paid with their lives. There are penitentiaries everywhere filled with kids who were luckier than him, but unlucky with getting sympathy from the legal system. They are disproportionately black.
"It's a serious statement to imply that a dumbass kid is intentionally trying to murder someone."
It IS a serious statement to imply that someone is intentionally trying to murder someone, and just because the kid(s) my be a "dumbass", it does not excuse their actions or the seriousness of their actions. And as I see in the story that they put the rope around the 8 y/o's neck after putting him up on a table then deliberately pushing him off of it with rope still around his neck, does seem to imply their intent to do the 8 y/o bodily harm, an act that could have cost him his life. I can't see where they older ones would not be fully aware of what they were doing and what the results would likely be. Their actions speak for themselves no matter what excuses were/are made for what they did.
Who said they should be excused? You seem to think I'm minimizing their actions - I'm not. They deserve to pay for doing what they did - in the context of how it happened. If it turns out that it was hoarsing around that got out of hand, then let the punishment fit the crime. For black youth, that almost never happens. There are plenty of examples of white kids getting fairer treatment, or at least the benefit of the doubt.
Hal, if I have misunderstood your position I offer my apology. As a Native American who has faced racism and prejudice all my life simply because of my heritage, I can understand the unfairness that many minorities face at the hands of the law enforcement and judicial system merely based on skin color of ethnic heritage. There are far too many cases that prove that to be true.
But, I have to wonder, if the 8 y/o had actually died from hanging, and given the circumstances of how the event took place, would it still be considered just dumbass kids "horsing around"?
Raven, I agree with you. But I want you to know something too. As a young boy I saw serious happenings, life-changing things that boys (especially) do when their brains are developing. We do silly stuff and although I don't know if that is the case in this article. . .I would not be honest if I pretend I do not know what the Sheriff. . .and Hal mean. Some of us guys (especially) can hear the Sheriff's voice ringing all the way back to Junior High/our own teen years.
In my case, it took just a strong adult to turn me away from a path I was headed down. And, I never made that "mistake" again to this day!
calbab, I can understand what you are thinking, and yes, some kids do so really crazy things when growing up. However, in this particular event, it does not appear to me to be a childish mistake. Nor does it appear to be a simple case of just horsing around. While it may not have been premeditated, their actions under the circumstances, a group of teenage boys, taunting and abusing a much younger child simply because of his being a bi-racial child, then intentionally and forcefully putting a rope around his neck and deliberately pushing him off the table and hanging him by the neck with a rope, then merely standing around watching him swing back and forth, struggling to breathe and free himself from the rope, and no one making any attempt to come to his aid, most clearly speaks of their actions being deliberate with the full intention of doing that child extreme bodily harm and/or death.
A mere "mistake" on their part? Does not sound like a mere childish prank to me.
09/12/17 11:47:44AM @raven-wing
Hi Raven, all day 09/13/17 I have been dealing with an issue on another NT comment article. So I am just seeing your comment late at night. My apologies.
I understand what you mean. I do not know what motivations are in the minds of this 14 year old and his "underlings.' I just had to be fair to remark that boys do "stupid crap," growing up—especially when we are inclined to fall inline with our mean streaks! It takes a strong adult person to nip the tendencies in the bud in children. Help us, them, snap out of it.
No apology necessary, calbab, with so much going on it is easy to overlook comments for a while until you sort of catch up. (smile)
I understand what you are saying, youngsters do a lot of crazy stuff, and those in gangs are the most vulnerable to doing terrible things to others that they might not do on their own. But, the feel for belonging is strong, and when there is nothing else to turn to, they will go along with what everyone else does, even if they don't really want to so as not to be cast out. Young girls are much the same, although you don't read about it as much.
However, if such crime is committed there can be no excusing the punishment that must be rendered. They must learn that laws must be obeyed, and even more, that human life is not theirs to take. They do not have the right to endanger or take the life of another at their whim. The 8 y/o did nothing to endanger the older boy's lives, thus, their attempt to take his life simply because he was bi-racial is not acceptable nor excusable under any circumstances IMO.
And.....I don't, and never have, bought into that "Boys will be boys" ideology to excuse what they do wrong. I have been a victim of that ideology more than a few times in my life, and it is nothing more than excuse to condone their bad behavior and vicious actions.
Sorry but even as a child I would have never thought of game play like that. I would never have singled out a person to hang because of color and as sure as hell would never put a noose on them and kick them off a picknick table.
I would never even try to justify it.
Kinda off topic Hal. But if the author will allow, I'd like to respond.
I followed this case pretty closely. There are parts I agree with, and parts I disagree.
I do think she was acting in self defense. Against the ex.
I cringe that she fired a warning shot. Because...
His (the ex) children were there next to him when she fired.
The actual charge was aggravated assault with a weapon. Only one count. She was offered a plea deal of only three years, which she rejected. It took the jury 12 minutes to convict, and mandatory sentencing resulted in 20 years.
The case was overturned on appeal due to improper jury instruction. Specifically, it put the burden of proof on the defendant, rather than the State. On this I agree, the burden should be on the State. But too many states and prosecutors place the burden on the defendant to prove that they were in fear and that the actions were self defense.
The prosecutor was going to retry her on three counts, one for each the ex and his two children. This would have resulted in mandatory sentencing of 60 years. She eventually accepted a plea deal of time served (3 years).
Many legal experts on self defense and stand your ground have stated that she would have been better off shooting the ex rather than firing a warning shot. The simple fact is, most state's Stand your Ground Laws do not have a provision for warning shots. Thus, warning shots become aggravated assault, rather than stand your ground.
Bottom line, this was a legal complexity of the Florida Stand Your Ground law. I don't think it was because of race.
Well stated, Bruce. Thank you for the clarification and additional information. It does indeed show how the law can have legal complexities that can work against the defendant.
Nobody is saying that what she did was reasonable or smart. She did something stupid at a time of panic. You said it yourself - she would have been better off doing what a cocky white stand your grounder would have done, and aimed for the aggressor. That is a sad commentary on how Americans value human life, btw. At the time it happened, I remember it being compared to similar cases where white people had all charges dismissed.
Sad? Maybe.
But the point I was making was this case had legal complexities that prevented SYG defense. Specifically, the warning shot. I would be curious to find any other cases in Florida where a warning shot was legally defended as stand your ground. If you know of any, I'd be happy to look at them.
I suspect that this one will eventually prove my point.
The author allows, Bruce!
What does that have to do with bigoted teenagers hanging a kid and running off?
From what I gather, they will not say anything because they are all under age.
Believe me, my words would be more harsh, though I don't know if cussing is allowed here.
I just do not understand people trying to justify what happened, which seems to be the case here.
09/11/17 05:07:35PM @hal-a-lujah:
1. "Someone stood on a picnic table and the group wrapped a rope from a nearby tire swing around the boy’s throat, then kicked him off the table. The victim swung back and forth three times before he was able to free himself. None of the teens came to his aid."
Hi Hal! I don't know either what the deal could have been. Still, not many adults know how to free themselves from a tightening rope with their dead weight on it. I can only speculate that the knot slipped loose.
2. Ms. Alexander clearly was treated to a double-standard. "It's called Stand your Ground' in defense of yourself not run and hide.
09/11/17 04:19:51PM @ raven-wing
Tawnshi, Raven Wing! I don't know if this falls on Chief Chase. It could be so, but I do not see the offense out in the open coming from the Chief * . What the fourteen year old demonstrated is sociopath behavior and if it is caught soon enough and dealt with strongly—a child can be saved. I will give the Chief benefit of the doubt. Save a child-save children (including 'perps') I say. (Smile.)
* Now if the networks and cable channels pick up this story further and I see Chief Chase over-protecting the 14-year old and his friends in interviews, I am going to be highly upset!
Thank you Calbab, and I agree. It is the job of law enforcement to enforce the law, not to try to play judge and/or jury as to the guilt of innocence or make excuses for anyone who breaks the law, no try to play defense for those who break the law. My Father was a former Ft Worth TX police officer for over 17 years, as well as Texas Ranger for 3 years, so I am fairly knowledgeable of how law enforcement is supposed to work. Attempting to take the life of someone who is much younger and helpless, no matter for what reason, is against the law. Period. And the teenagers should be held fully accountable for their own actions.
My thought on the matter.
09/11/17 04:06:39PM @ kavika,
Tawnshi kavika! Do you think that their will be physical signs left? Will this young boy be 'tatooed' and have to explain them markings throughout his life. That would be remarkably disheartening and saddening to me.
Awful situation. Just awful.
Calbab, I know your comment was directed to Kavika, but, if I may, I would like to comment in reply as well. There are many kinds of scars that one can suffer that do not appear on the outside of our bodies. And even is there is, the ones suffered mentally and emotionally are much harder to deal with long after the outer wounds have healed and/or disappeared. Such traumatic events can leave life long scars that no one sees, but, can be just as crippling, ir not more so, as any visible scars. There is no doubt in my own mind that the 8 y/o child who nearly lost his life at the hands of those who he thought were his friends will surly leave mental and emotional scars for the rest of his life. The damage has already been done, physically, mentally and emotionally from which he may never fully recover, and there is no way for it to be undone, and no acceptable excuse for what caused it.
Just my view.
09/11/17 07:03:06PM @raven-wing
What a reminder: A strangulation mark. The childhood experience of having a bully nearly strangle you. So sad. Let me see if I can find some light inside all this gloomy darkness. On a wholly separate article on NT, we are having this discussion around speech and hate speech. As part of my research I read over what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis stated in Whitney v. California (in 1927):
"If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."
So the parents and a deep bench of extended family and friends must drown out the anguish of hatred and the physical pain with more tremendous giftings of love. Those adults and children alike involved must aid young 'Mister' Merlin to see love poured out like a brook to sat in. Overtake. Overwhelm. Overcome.
I agree Calbab. The love and caring of family and friends can make a difference in how a child learns to behave and respect others. But, their environment also plays a big part in the shaping of a child's thinking and ultimate behavior into adulthood. Prejudice, racism intolerance and hatred must all be learned, as no child is ever born with any of those emotions.
Thus, society as a whole also plays a big part in how a child is influenced growing up. Right now our country is seeing a great deal more of racism, hate and intolerance, both from an environmental and social aspect. Love alone can't solve the problems our young children face, there has to be a change on all levels to save our children and future generations.
09/11/17 08:03:35PM @ raven-wing:
Yes! This family must move away. Where they are now has seriously injured them all and there must be less of an opportunity for a round two!
Move away, away, away, with young "Mister" Merlin where he can not encounter this juvenile no-name bully and bad group again. Life in the city or suburbs should not be a type of 'fight-club' or 'hell-hole' for children. Pack up and go. Turn the page.
Begin a new leaf on both sides of a page with child wholeness and soundness as the focus.
Tansi Calbab,
The scars will probably disappear, with today's medical expertise they can probably get rid of them. If not every time he sees those scars in he mirror he will be reminded of the ''hanging''.
On the psychological side IMO it will affect him for the rest of his life.
A traumatic experience in any form will have a long term effect on the person that experienced it.
09/11/17 07:51:54PM @ kavika
Give him large 'doses' of spiritual love and warm memories to the best of family and friends. Positive episodes with good-hearted white youths (and they are 'legion') who can refresh and mend a 3rd grader who now more than ever needs assurances he can belong.
Move him away from this town! Do not risk another too negative encounter or re-association with that worthless 'crowd' of kids.
I think young Merlin can be a winner. I'm going to bet on him! And, some better friends!
Dear Friend and Brother in Spirit Calbab: Some quotes from the Torah seem in order here.
"Do not murder".
"Justice, justice shall you pursue".
Tragic as it was, this could have turned out much worse.
We need a better system to handle this sort of thing when it happens.
Having parents who teach their children love, tolerance, and acceptance; not hatred would help as well.
You are correct.
There are many may issues this terrible tale suggests.
Peace and Abundant Blessings.
Enoch.
09/11/17 04:33:45PM @ enoch
Enoch! Your spirit understands. There is a 'startling' statement in the article and I want to draw it out:
Someone stood on a picnic table and the group wrapped a rope from a nearby tire swing around the boy’s throat, then kicked him off the table.
The victim swung back and forth three times before he was able to free himself. None of the teens came to his aid.
"Kicked him off the table . . . and. . . no one came his aid."
Did the teen 'mob' just stand there looking on? Did these youths abandon this child to fate??!
"Justice! Justice shall you pursue."
"Did the teen 'mob' just stand there looking on? Did these youths abandon this child to fate??!"
My thoughts as well, calbab.
Dear Friend Calbab: Good points raised all.
Thank you.
We are indebted.
Peace and Abundant Blessings.
Enoch .
What a horrible thing to happen to that 8 year old boy! How dare anyone in authority "look the other way" and make excuses for them? There IS no excuse!
I agree, Dowser. Trying to excuse it by making it out to be merely a mistake or accident as the Sheriff is obviously trying to do is itself inexcusable, and only contributes to the idea that such actions can be over looked. That in itself only adds to the idea of acceptance of something that is totally unacceptable. I don't for one minute buy the idea that the perps did not comprehend the gravity of what they were doing at the time. They were plenty old enough to know right from wrong and understand the consequences of their actions and chose to act in the manner they did obviously thinking they had a right to do so.
Just my opinion.
Yep.
I'm not surprised. This is the "new" America.....Trump's America.
Yeah right look what happened in Obama's new America.
So, people are upset because the police are actually investigating the event instead of convicting the minors in the media. Insane.
Uhhh...emm...I didn't see anyone here complaining or arguing about the investigation of the event. Opinions and views about the event based upon the article posted may differ among the members, but, that is what discussions, and NT in general, are about. All members are entitled to express their own thoughts and POV on the topics of discussion presented here on NT.
Read the news. That's what I am commenting about.
OK...my misunderstanding...it sounded as if you were speaking of the comments by others. I apologize if I mis-spoke.
No problem.
Re: Raven-wing:
Young girls are much the same, although you don't read about it as much.
______________________________________________________________
I was wondering about that! HA! I know many youths (and adults) do "things" in secret and habitually until one day it is remarked on by someone and we are made to consider our behaviors. The sheriff may be hitting on this with this 14 year old. Maybe the adults can save this kid, before he is lost to becoming a bad seed for life!
That said, I follow your logic in that you, we, can not save them all from their own private inclinations and urges. "Boys will be boys," is not a defend in this matter and this young teen and his associates must have their error worked out before a judge.
Thank you, Raven-wing!