Boys held in detention over newspaper carrier's beating on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

Boys held in detention over newspaper carrier's beating

Related Articles

17-year-old boys charged with home burglary

Two juveniles charged with carjacking

Juveniles enter pleas in robbery, shooting

House arrest ordered for boys accused of beating carrier

Boy to serve 15 years for robbing Coffee County deputy

Cousins plead guilty to assaulting school bus driver

Boy accused of trying to shoot aunt

By: Lisa Marchesoni

Posted: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:21 pm

Three 17-year-old boys accused of “severely” beating a newspaper deliverer in front of his children early Tuesday were ordered held in detention until next week.

Victim Michael Henry was beaten about 4 a.m. Tuesday on Big Eagle Trail, Murfreesboro Police Officer Ricky Haley said during a hearing Wednesday in Juvenile Court. One of the boys pointed a gun at him.

“He was severely beaten on his left side,” Haley said, possibly suffering a broken jaw and a “huge cut over his eye.” Henry was admitted to Middle Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Juvenile Court Magistrate Adam Dodd heard testimony from Haley and the parents before deciding to keep all three Riverdale High School boys in detention for the safety of themselves and the community. The three boys kept their heads down during the hearing. One of the boys is on Riverdale’s wrestling team.

Assistant District Attorney Leslie Collum asked Haley to describe the call.

While investigating, Haley received conflicting statements from the boys. One boy told him Henry threw something in the yard so they chased him. Another boy told Haley they got in a fight with Henry and he placed Henry in a “chokehold until he lost consciousness.”

One of the boys wore a bandage on his neck, Haley said, but explained he didn’t know how he was injured.

“He stated to me he didn’t know when he sustained them,” Haley said.

Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans said he didn’t believe the boy was stabbed during the fight.

Attorney Brock East, who represents the boy, hinted it might be a case of self-defense.

A third boy told police he was inside a home asleep but Henry told police three boys attacked him.

Henry identified the boys, Haley said. Police obtained a box cutter from Henry.

Attorney Derek Howard asked about his client’s involvement.

The client’s mother gave Haley consent to search her home and accompanied him. She recovered a 12-gauge shotgun.

“There was a bathtub full of empty beer cans,” Haley said.

Haley didn’t charge the boys with public intoxication or drinking under age.

East asked if Henry was charged.

Haley said Henry was not charged but the case remains under investigation.

Dodd questioned the parents who indicated they were shocked by the sons’ behavior.

Howard and East both asked for house arrest for their clients. The third boy did not have an attorney but Dodd appointed Tommy Santel to represent him.

Dodd said the boys were out past curfew and unsupervised.

“I am disturbed by the testimony,” Dodd said in ordering the boys held in detention.

Tagged under Juvenile crime

Member Opinions:

By: cindy742 on 7/16/09
Why would the paper man come back to the house and come in the yard? He is a adult. He should have acted like it.