One of the teenagers responsible for beating a Holly Hill homeless man to death asked a judge to reduce his 22-year prison sentence Monday. Warren Messner and three other teens pled guilty to killing the man because they were bored, but Messner said prison is too hard.
Messner is a big boy. He was 15 at the time he was brought into the woods to see the homeless man his friends had been beating. Even at that young age, he outweighed the victim, Michael Roberts, by 200 pounds when he jumped on his chest, crushing his ribcage. Roberts died.
“Did you feel bad when you are doing it?” Messner was asked during questioning.
“Not really, no,” he replied.
“I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die…”
Messner and his attorney said he has already learned his lesson and is ready to go home to help others.
“I want to be an inspirational speaker for troubled teens,” he said Monday.
Messner got the lightest sentence of the four boys. Teens Jeffrey Spurgeon, Justin Stearns and Christopher Scamahorn got 27 to 35 years. They all cut plea deals to avoid life in prison.
The state attorney said that’s as much leniency as they should get and the judge agreed.
“I can’t think of some reason to change the sentence. I’m going to deny the motion,” said the Hon. Joseph Will.
The judge and the state both argued that being deprived services and being locked away is precisely the point of prison. Warren Messner will spend the next 22 years in prison without the chance for parole.
#16, Mr Fusion, you might think differently if the victim was someone in your family.
That is the difference between Justice and Vengeance. But then you don’t like to put much reasoning into any of your posts.
I agree what he did was heinous. But Justice shouldn’t be based upon emotions. Our jails are overflowing with prisoners doing time with excessively long sentences compared to the crime simply because the “Law and Order” crowd demand we get tough with those who break the law.
Because of the overcrowding, those with mental health problems don’t get help and end up getting worse before being dumped back into society. Many prisoners end up catching Hepatitis B & C and even AIDs. When they get released, those with little or no support end up re-offending.
It costs much less then keep someone out of jail then it does to keep them inside one.
#17, Unfortunately, you are so correct. Most sociopaths graduate from torturing and killing animals to people. It is almost a natural progression. That is why easy access to affordable mental health care is so necessary. Especially for the young, before they progress into monsters.
How bored is this doofus going to be if he spends the rest of his life in prison? Another reason NOT to have the death penalty, as it would not deter this kind of garbage from happening.
drop this fool in pelican bay. then he’ll know what tough really is
#18 Mr Fusion, you might think differently if the victim was someone in your family.
That’s why families aren’t put in the position of presiding over these matters, and the job is entrusted to what we hope is an impartial court and jury.
That is the difference between Justice and Vengeance
It was justice, he participated in a murder and he paid the price. He could have gotten life.
OK I can’t resist: Wait until he meets Bunk Muffin in adult prison, and he’ll find out what it’s like doing HARD time, with a HARDened criminal. Well, enough bad puns.
I’d still rather see him fry though
17 “He’ll be out when he’s 37. At that time he’ll be given a second chance. “
When was the last time anyone actually served a 22 year sentence for 22 years?
My bet: he’ll be about at 28. But he will be so mal-adjusted that he won’t have any idea how to earn a living or contribute to society, so he’ll probably begin stealing and eventually kill sombody else.
But hey, I believe people are basically good, so that’s just my opinion…
#28. You may be right. I don’t know Florida law either. But I’m just going by what the article said, “Warren Messner will spend the next 22 years in prison without the chance for parole.”
#26, You are a fool.
That is the difference between Justice and Vengeance
It was justice, he participated in a murder and he paid the price. He could have gotten life.
Comment by gquaglia — 12/6/2006 @ 10:56 am
is in direct response to you other spew,
Mr Fusion, you might think differently if the victim was someone in your family.
Justice is doing what is right when someone breaks the law. Of course you have no idea of what Justice should be. I remember your past posts advocating torture of prisoners, cheering for the police after tasering a handcuffed victim, and other obscene rants. For reference, see post #25.
Vengeance is taking the law into your own hands and meting out your version of punishment. Something you readily identify with.
This child is most likely a budding sociopath. His disregard for life is a strong indicator of this. If he is confined to prison for the next 21 years his behaviors will only worsen, and upon release he will be just about the median serial killer age. If on the other hand he is confined to a mental facility he can be helped to at least cope in a constructive way (one that doesn’t involve killing to alleviate boredom) with his urges. The best part is that he is only released when he is declared well. If his doctors believe he is still a threat he doesn’t get to leave no matter how long he is in there. And for the conservatives out there who think this is easy time, you’re out of your minds. Prisoners have more rights and privileges then mental patients, because they are still viewed as mentally competent, and there fore have the rights of a regular person. An “incompetent” person does not have these rights because they are viewed as being incapable of functioning in society.
Too bad he didn’t wait just a few more years. He could have joined the military, gone to Iraq, killed with impunity, never felt bad for it, and we would have celebrated his career and given him a golden ticket.
Vengeance is taking the law into your own hands and meting out your version of punishment. Something you readily identify with.
I’m confused, how is this vengeance? He was tried and convicted in a court of law and sentence was passed. He had a lawyer and all his rights were afforded. He killed someone and now he is in jail. Where am I wrong. You are just a typical lefty who thinks that no one should be responsible for his actions.
Maybe he got that long a sentenced because the jury was bored by the trial. Talk about retribution
Perhaps he finds someone like him who, in a boredom attack, will do to him as he did to others.
33, You wouldn’t know justice if it bit you on your ass. You asked how would I react if it was a member of my family that was killed. I responded with “that is the difference between justice and vengeance”. Of course I would want revenge if it was a close family member. But that is why Judges and juries are impartial, to make a reasonable decision, not an emotional reaction.
At no time did I suggest his trial was unfair or the verdict was wrong. At no time did I suggest his sentence was vengeance. Of course, you don’t have the mental capacity to understand why you are wrong. So I’ll suggest you re-read your posts and questions and maybe, just maybe, it might slowly come to you.
#35 I guess I’m just not as enlightened as you. Thank God.
#31….Unspeakable……you are kidding….right?????
Everyday in this country, people who have been committed to a mental facility for being crazy and killing someone is released as **cured** and then go out and repeat the act.
I would trust a far left Liberal firebrand to keep a killer behind bars for a longer time than a Doctor at a Mental Facitity. The only way I could get behind a Mental patient being committed until cured is if after declaring him/her cured, they then go to prison to finish serving their hard time.
This *kid* murdered without regret…..let him serve his 22 years without parole without regret on societies part. If they want to give him counseling, thats great and can only help, but he still needs to be behind bars at least for his 22 years.
#36
Your welcome.
#37 Everyday in this country, people who have been committed to a mental facility for being crazy and killing someone is released as **cured** and then go out and repeat the act.
Really?
EVERY DAY?
Or is there a bit of hyperbole in there? Is it true that, maybe, you don’t really have any hard numbers to back this up and just maybe you think this is true because of the assumptions you make about leftist politics? Maybe?
Homocidal maniacs are released everyday from Arkham Asylum, but that’s why we keep Batman around. In reality, however, everyday is far more mundane.