GOT HIM!

**SlashWylde** · 23rd August 2005, 18:36

You know what? I want to hear from this kid. I want a formal written statement publicised explaining what he was doing, why and what he thought the consequenses would be - along with a genuine apology.

Now I'm not suggesting this will "make things better" or should serve to reduce his sentence, no way, a man is dead because of this. But what we never seem to get as a society in cases like this, is a clear statement from the perpetrator as to WHY.

I think this would be part of the closure and moving-on process for people round the country. Obviously it won't do much if anything for Mr Currie's family but as long as the information wasn't malicious it could be beneficial.

There's a lot of talk in this forumn and around water coolers but none of us know why or can relate to what went on in his mind.

Theres a big problem in this country with increasingly younger people going around doing atrocious things but no-one knows why.

I want to hear from them and find out what we need to do to seer things right again.

**James Deuce** · 23rd August 2005, 18:39

Originally Posted by Spleen

Have you heard of Upper Hutt College? Boganville Central. That's where I go to school. Every third person's smoking dope or something harder. I usually get threatend with violence once every few days.

Finally, a use for that emoticon. Anyways, while I agree that most 14ers have the mental capacity and forethought of a garden slug, they would know at least that dropping a heavy rock or whatever from a bridge would have dire consequences.

Peace out

I've taught kids from Upper Hutt College, St Pat's Silverstream, HIBS, and Heretaunga that would definitely fall into the feckless, "I didn't know that would happen if I did that" category. On the other hand I've taught kids with greater emotional intelligence than me. Everyone is different, and unitl the circumstances are clear demanding his death is little harsh. Actually it's a little harsh full stop.

I'll bet you the 20 year old's Dad doesn;t want the 14 year old dead. He knows what that feels like and won;t be wanting to inflict that on anyone. I like the idea of forcing him to attend the funeral, with the family's permission. That would be medicine of the right nature, followed by whatever punishment is decreed for 14 year old murderer's, provided their is enough evidence to convict him of murder. You can bet that it is unlikely that the Police would even consider a murder charge if they didn't have enough evidence to support a trial.

**RiderInBlack** · 23rd August 2005, 20:37

Looks like they are going to try him for murder. It was on a news update on TV3. Will be more on it on Nightline.

**SlowHand** · 23rd August 2005, 20:56

I think the kid going to the funerals good. Along with seeing the 20year old's corpes and police accident file - all with the families permission of course.

Im 20, and my brothers 18. I've been around a few kids 13-15 age group, generally supervising etc. So thinking at about a 14year old probably under peer pressure's level, I think the kid knew that it "could" kill someone, but maybe in the heat of the moment didnt think far enough that HE could do it.

Yes, it is absolutely stupid, and that's not an excuse to get out of whatever the law decides on. Everything should be done so what he did hammers home.

Here's another thing - at 15 you can get a driver's license. Now, I got my learners on my birthday (albeit for a car), so can't comment on that it should be raised, but perhaps the mental capabilities should be part of the test?

**oldrider** · 23rd August 2005, 22:10

So far I see three positives that have come out of this tragic incident.

1. the Police response was swift and effective.

2. The public responded effectively to the call for help.

3. The culprit is no longer at large.

Congratulations to the police and the public for a job well done.

I anxiously await the performance of the justice system in the next phase of this case. Will the consequence be equal to the scale of the crime?
Will the collective mind of the community be satisfied with the outcome?

We are the owners of the process therefore we must take ownership and accept accountability for the result. It will be interesting. Cheers John.

**Dadpole** · 23rd August 2005, 22:59

I can smell from here the child behaviour specialists and general apologists gathering for the court case. "peer pressure - did not know - culturally oppressed - possessed by the devil etc" There is an industry in standing up for kids like this.
They don't think of consequences when they do these things because they are constantly told that they are not at fault for anything. I taught "at risk" (such a nice phrase) 14 to 16 year olds for 2 years, and they do not care. The depressing thing is that some of them have no concept of being alive at 20. If they believe they have no future then they will do anything now.
With luck, this specimen will be alive at 20 - and still behind bars.

PS: Quit the job when I realised that there was more to life than hoping to get through the day without killing one of the sods.

**MikeL** · 24th August 2005, 10:21

Death penalty for 14-year olds? Mob justice? An eye for an eye?
Are you people real?

A schoolboy, with whatever reason, motivation, with whatever forethought, or lack of thought, kills an innocent stranger, and all you want is revenge.

It's like the American war on terrorism. Punish the bastards. Kill, interdict, destroy. Above all, make a distinction. Them and us. Good or evil. Never ask how we may have contributed to turning them into such a terrible foe.

Well, this kid who did this terrible thing must be evil. He can't be one of us. He's not part of society. We have to distance ourselves from him. Nothing in the way we have chosen to organize our society has had anything to do with this tragedy.

Very profound reasoning here. About on a level with your average 14 year old...

**spudchucka** · 24th August 2005, 11:39

Originally Posted by Jim2

You can bet that it is unlikely that the Police would even consider a murder charge if they didn't have enough evidence to support a trial.

Basically by proving murder they cover off manslaughter as an alternative. In other words they will try to get a conviction for murder in the knowledge that manslaughter will be proven anyway.

**Pixie** · 24th August 2005, 11:44

Originally Posted by scumdog

Yeah it was 'lucky' 'cos it 'only' killed the driver - sheesh!!

I guess it could have hit the roof, knocked it onto the driver head and cause him to swerve and hit a concrete bridge abutment and all four occupants be killed, I suppose that would have been 'unlucky' eh???

That could have happened anyway,apparently the drivers head wasn't in good shape,it's a wonder the rock didn't take out the rear passenger as well

**Pixie** · 24th August 2005, 11:49

Originally Posted by oldrider

So far I see three positives that have come out of this tragic incident.

1. the Police response was swift and effective.

2. The public responded effectively to the call for help.

3. The culprit is no longer at large.

Congratulations to the police and the public for a job well done.

I anxiously await the performance of the justice system in the next phase of this case. Will the consequence be equal to the scale of the crime?
Will the collective mind of the community be satisfied with the outcome?

We are the owners of the process therefore we must take ownership and accept accountability for the result. It will be interesting. Cheers John.

Reading between the lines it wasn't a difficult investigation;a witness described a weed who struggled with an 8Kg rock (play station generation),
they went to the nearest school,Fuckwits had boasted of what they did,Gotcha!