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Man sentenced to life term for killing teen who walked on lawn

SuzannePjamSuzannePjam Posts: 411
edited May 2007 in A Moving Train
wow, I'm just speechless. What a sick fuck.

Life term for killing teen who walked on lawn
Ohio man said boy knew how he cared for his grass and provoked him


BATAVIA, Ohio - A man who fatally shot a teenage neighbor because he walked on the man's carefully tended lawn was sentenced to life in prison.
Charles Martin, 67, must serve 18 years before he can be considered for parole, Clermont County Common Pleas Judge William Walker ordered Wednesday, adding that he would urge that Martin never be considered for parole.
The man was convicted last month of murder in the March 2006 shotgun killing of 15-year-old Larry Mugrage Jr., a high school student.
Martin told the court he was sorry the shooting occurred but said the teen knew how much Martin cared for his lawn and provoked him.
"He stepped on it and he walked 40 feet through it," Martin said. "I cared about it. I cut it every five days."
Prosecutors alleged Martin had confronted the teen earlier in the day when he walked into Martin's yard on his way to a friend's house, then loaded his .410-gauge shotgun and waited more than three hours for him to return.
When the boy stepped on the lawn again, Martin fired at him twice, according to testimony. He then called police, telling a dispatcher: "I just killed a kid."
Martin was tried on aggravated murder but convicted of murder, a lesser count, because jurors because could not agree the killing was planned.
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Comments

  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    But I'd also say that the jury felt perhaps the old man was a bit teched.

    I wonder if this defense would work on Cheney...
    Feels Good Inc.
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    SuzannePjam wrote:
    Prosecutors alleged Martin had confronted the teen earlier in the day when he walked into Martin's yard on his way to a friend's house, then loaded his .410-gauge shotgun and waited more than three hours for him to return.
    When the boy stepped on the lawn again, Martin fired at him twice, according to testimony. He then called police, telling a dispatcher: "I just killed a kid."
    Martin was tried on aggravated murder but convicted of murder, a lesser count, because jurors because could not agree the killing was planned.

    he sat there waiting for three hours with a loaded shotgun for the kid to return but they don't know if he planned it? three hours is plenty of time for it to enter his mind that "killing a kid for walking across the lawn is wrong" it's not as if he was only sitting in wait for three seconds or three minutes....how can they say that he didn't plan on killing him?
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  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    How insane did this kid have to be to walk on that guy's lawn while he's sitting there with a shotgun in hand?
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    sponger wrote:
    How insane did this kid have to be to walk on that guy's lawn while he's sitting there with a shotgun in hand?


    no more insane then shooting someone over a fucking lawn
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    cutback wrote:
    no more insane then shooting someone over a fucking lawn

    You're talking about a man's lawn. I think Hank Hill would agree with me here.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    Of course, he could have been waiting for teh government to need overthrowing, which is why the constitutional right to bear arms is so important. The lawn was just incidental.
    The real problem here is the national tendency to think that guns are a reasonable way to resolve conflicts. This guy is just a symptom.
    Everyone will of course say, he is a weirdo, "I" woild never od that, I'm a safe gun owner. Yeah right, the whole freaking country is weird !!!!!!!!!!!
    Music is not a competetion.
  • samquigleysamquigley Posts: 220
    Sure, he shot a kid, at least he's not a lespian.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    lucylespian wrote:
    Of course, he could have been waiting for teh government to need overthrowing, which is why the constitutional right to bear arms is so important. The lawn was just incidental.
    The real problem here is the national tendency to think that guns are a reasonable way to resolve conflicts. This guy is just a symptom.
    Everyone will of course say, he is a weirdo, "I" woild never od that, I'm a safe gun owner. Yeah right, the whole freaking country is weird !!!!!!!!!!!

    That is such a weak, weak, weak, sorry, sad argument.

    There really is no argument for a tragic story. It just is.
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  • Uncle LeoUncle Leo Posts: 1,059
    I assume there were some property rights groups trying to influence the sentencing. Nice that they were not listened to.
    I cannot come up with a new sig till I get this egg off my face.
  • AbookamongstthemanyAbookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    The older lady who lives next door to me always gives me mean looks when I let my grass get too high...hope she's not packing. :p
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
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  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    Uncle Leo wrote:
    I assume there were some property rights groups trying to influence the sentencing. Nice that they were not listened to.

    I doubt it, Englishman.

    edit: oops, thought you were someone else.
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  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    He could at least have dosed him with a slow, undetectable buildup of lethal weed killer, over a period of time.
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    prism wrote:
    he sat there waiting for three hours with a loaded shotgun for the kid to return but they don't know if he planned it? three hours is plenty of time for it to enter his mind that "killing a kid for walking across the lawn is wrong" it's not as if he was only sitting in wait for three seconds or three minutes....how can they say that he didn't plan on killing him?

    It probably had something to do with a technicality. Like was the guy actually aiming to kill the kid? Or was he "firing warning shots"? Did he actually sit there for the 3 hours plotting the death of the kid or was he thinking how he'd give him the fright of his life and convince him never to step on the grass again?
    Sad I realize, it would depend on the evidence presented I suspect. And a good lawyer can point out these things and have the jury instructed accordingly. So many things come into play. It's a tragedy and it's completely wrong that a young person has had their life ended this way. I can only hope that the "lawn owner" has a long time to think about his priorities and possibly discover some remorse, if he hasn't already.
    NOPE!!!

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  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    He could at least have dosed him with a slow, undetectable buildup of lethal weed killer, over a period of time.

    I was thinking an air rifle/bb gun sort of thing. Since he seemed to like guns, and all.
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  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    gue_barium wrote:
    That is such a weak, weak, weak, sorry, sad argument.

    There really is no argument for a tragic story. It just is.

    Sorry, but saying apathetic acceptance of these events by saying "it just is" is what has the USA where it is with regard to gun crime. Just how many people have to die in what bizarre and unforgivable circumstance before it does matter ???
    I have the greatest sympathy for the victim, but I still mainintain that it is primarily symptomatic of culture which believes that guns are a reasonable and logical solution to human conflict and social failings.
    I have certainly been a smart arse teenageer in my time but it's hardly a crime worth the death penalty.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    lucylespian wrote:
    Sorry, but saying apathetic acceptance of these events by saying "it just is" is what has the USA where it is with regard to gun crime. Just how many people have to die in what bizarre and unforgivable circumstance before it does matter ???
    I have the greatest sympathy for the victim, but I still mainintain that it is primarily symptomatic of culture which believes that guns are a reasonable and logical solution to human conflict and social failings.
    I have certainly been a smart arse teenageer in my time but it's hardly a crime worth the death penalty.

    Australian gun crime is up like 200% since they took away guns, dear.
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  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    gue_barium wrote:
    Australian gun crime is up like 200% since they took away guns, dear.

    did you just make that up? cause it sure sounds like it.

    you know there's these neighbourhood kids who despite my protestations keep climbing a tree situated on my property. if i had access to firearms it would be tempting to shoot them off the branches like ducks in a row. but because my goverment grew some balls and toughened up the gun laws i now find myself negotiating with 9 year olds. you think iran and korea are hard to tlak to? think again. :D

    ha ha lucy, he called you dear. i think he thinks you wear a skirt. LMAO!! :D:D
    hear my name
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  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    catefrances wrote:
    did you just make that up? cause it sure sounds like it.

    you know there's these neighbourhood kids who despite my protestations keep climbing a tree situated on my property. if i had access to firearms it would be tempting to shoot them off the branches like ducks in a row. but because my goverment grew some balls and toughened up the gun laws i now find myself negotiating with 9 year olds. you think iran and korea are hard to tlak to? think again. :D

    ha ha lucy, he called you dear. i think he thinks you wear a skirt. LMAO!! :D:D

    No, i didn't make that up, and your decision not to kill some kids isn't helping that side of the argument.
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  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    gue_barium wrote:
    No, i didn't make that up, and your decision not to kill some kids isn't helping that side of the argument.


    oh lighten up gue. anyone here that knows me, knows im joking.

    why do you think i added the smilies for - fun?


    i know this is just new south wales. but it is the most populous state in australia and the one i live in. so just for example:

    http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_mr_cjb98
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    catefrances wrote:
    oh lighten up gue. anyone here that knows me, knows im joking.

    why do you think i added the smilies for - fun?


    i know this is just new south wales. but it is the most populous state in australia and the one i live in. so just for example:

    http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_mr_cjb98

    I'm usually joking, too.

    Hell if I know what the hell is going on in Austria.
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  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    catefrances wrote:
    did you just make that up? cause it sure sounds like it.

    you know there's these neighbourhood kids who despite my protestations keep climbing a tree situated on my property. if i had access to firearms it would be tempting to shoot them off the branches like ducks in a row. but because my goverment grew some balls and toughened up the gun laws i now find myself negotiating with 9 year olds. you think iran and korea are hard to tlak to? think again. :D

    ha ha lucy, he called you dear. i think he thinks you wear a skirt. LMAO!! :D:D

    One of the reasons I leave my gender a bit of a mystery is cos it absolutely mkaes me laugh when guys patronise me like I am a female. It is a complete hoot, and proves that guys do it.

    I love being called dearie, it makes me fell all warm and fuzzy and protected.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    lucylespian wrote:
    One of the reasons I leave my gender a bit of a mystery is cos it absolutely mkaes me laugh when guys patronise me like I am a female. It is a complete hoot, and proves that guys do it.

    I love being called dearie, it makes me fell all warm and fuzzy and protected.

    i'd protect you little darlin' but i know you don't need it. :D:D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    gue_barium wrote:
    I'm usually joking, too.

    Hell if I know what the hell is going on in Austria.

    well it'd certainly help if you actually knew which country you were trying to defame. :D:D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    catefrances wrote:
    i'd protect you little darlin' but i know you don't need it. :D:D

    I'd say you are making me giggle, but I have been chatised by Kat already this week for going off topic, so I better stop.

    BAck on topic, I nthink we all fantasise about frocibly resolving our conflicts by shooting 9 yr olds off tree branches at some time or another, but being forced into alternative behaviour is probably better in teh long run.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    I remember when I was 15 I was at a street party and I stepped on some fellas lawn and he got up and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me up against a lamp-post in full view of everyone. He he! What a tough guy. I wonder if he ever found out who it was that bricked his windows almost every week for the next 6 months?
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    Byrnzie wrote:
    I remember when I was 15 I was at a street party and I stepped on some fellas lawn and got up and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me up against a lamp-post in full view of everyone. He he! What a tough guy. I wonder if he ever found out who it was that bricked his windows almost every week for the next 6 months?

    That was YOU ?!! You little bastard (shaking my fist) !!!
    War is Peace
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  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Byrnzie wrote:
    I remember when I was 15 I was at a street party and I stepped on some fellas lawn and got up and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me up against a lamp-post in full view of everyone. He he! What a tough guy. I wonder if he ever found out who it was that bricked his windows almost every week for the next 6 months?

    oh snap! i remember being 15 and being grabbed by the throat. but i was slammed up against a wall, not a lamp post and it wasnt for stepping on some bloke's lawn, i can tell you. :;D ;):p
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    Byrnzie wrote:
    I remember when I was 15 I was at a street party and I stepped on some fellas lawn and got up and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me up against a lamp-post in full view of everyone. He he! What a tough guy. I wonder if he ever found out who it was that bricked his windows almost every week for the next 6 months?

    You did? I'd have bought a fucking gun.


    ;)
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    I remember...being 15,
    and

    finally getting laid.
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  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    gue_barium wrote:
    I remember...being 15,
    and

    finally getting laid.


    In fact, I think at the age of fifteen, I courted an older lady on someone's front garden. The only person doing the shooting was me. If you know what I mean.


    Anyway, topic integrity, and all that.
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