lipripr
05-17-2008, 06:46 AM
Pity the kid who's going to be parented by this couple
HAMILTON - After her alleged torturers were ordered to be tried as adults, a mentally disabled teen asked her mom over the phone: "Are they getting out?"
Not anytime soon, unless they each post bond of $1 million plus $25,000. The bond, set by Judge Ron Craft , is one of the highest ever set in Butler County Juvenile Court.
Cheyenne Blanton, 17, and Joseph Nagle, 16, both of Hamilton, are accused in the hours-long torture of Talawanda High School senior Ashley Clark. On Feb. 22 in her Hanover Township home, Clark was tied up, beaten with a baseball bat, kicked, robbed and had her hair shorn down to a stubble.
The accused teens, who are parents of a child now living with relatives, were transferred from the Juvenile Detention Center to the county jail. The case against them heads next to a grand jury.
Assistant Prosecutor Dan Phillips said Nagle and Blanton targeted Clark because they knew she was handicapped. Further, he argued: "They drink, they have sex, they have a kid ... they're definitely adult enough to be tried as adults."
Blanton's lawyer, Melanie Walls, argued her client needs mental health treatment for a psychotic disorder. Nagle's lawyer, Jeff Modderman, said his client suffers from depression.
But such arguments held little weight with Craft.
"Quite honestly, I don't see any factors against transfer (to adult court)," the judge said.
Craft noted Blanton had 17 prior juvenile court cases, mostly for probation violations; Nagle had juvenile convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, assault and domestic violence.
As Craft made his decision, Nagle betrayed no emotion. Blanton wept into her hands.
Clark's parents said Craft's decisions eased their daughter's fears that the pair will attack her again.
Sheila Clark said she called her daughter, who turned 19 Tuesday, after court Wednesday and reassured her she is safe while the defendants remain locked up.
"For what my daughter is going through, they deserve every day they can get (behind bars)," Bobby Clark said.
Most of Clark's visible injuries have healed, her father said. But she walks with a limp because of the broken foot she suffered. Her hair is still very short. That's why she'll wear a shoulder-length, sleek reddish-brown wig to her prom Saturday, her mom said.
As part of a community-wide outpouring of kindness, Jag's Replacements, a Fairfield wig shop, donated the wig and David's Bridal in Springdale donated a lilac prom dress and accessories to replace a gown that Clark's attackers destroyed.
HAMILTON - After her alleged torturers were ordered to be tried as adults, a mentally disabled teen asked her mom over the phone: "Are they getting out?"
Not anytime soon, unless they each post bond of $1 million plus $25,000. The bond, set by Judge Ron Craft , is one of the highest ever set in Butler County Juvenile Court.
Cheyenne Blanton, 17, and Joseph Nagle, 16, both of Hamilton, are accused in the hours-long torture of Talawanda High School senior Ashley Clark. On Feb. 22 in her Hanover Township home, Clark was tied up, beaten with a baseball bat, kicked, robbed and had her hair shorn down to a stubble.
The accused teens, who are parents of a child now living with relatives, were transferred from the Juvenile Detention Center to the county jail. The case against them heads next to a grand jury.
Assistant Prosecutor Dan Phillips said Nagle and Blanton targeted Clark because they knew she was handicapped. Further, he argued: "They drink, they have sex, they have a kid ... they're definitely adult enough to be tried as adults."
Blanton's lawyer, Melanie Walls, argued her client needs mental health treatment for a psychotic disorder. Nagle's lawyer, Jeff Modderman, said his client suffers from depression.
But such arguments held little weight with Craft.
"Quite honestly, I don't see any factors against transfer (to adult court)," the judge said.
Craft noted Blanton had 17 prior juvenile court cases, mostly for probation violations; Nagle had juvenile convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, assault and domestic violence.
As Craft made his decision, Nagle betrayed no emotion. Blanton wept into her hands.
Clark's parents said Craft's decisions eased their daughter's fears that the pair will attack her again.
Sheila Clark said she called her daughter, who turned 19 Tuesday, after court Wednesday and reassured her she is safe while the defendants remain locked up.
"For what my daughter is going through, they deserve every day they can get (behind bars)," Bobby Clark said.
Most of Clark's visible injuries have healed, her father said. But she walks with a limp because of the broken foot she suffered. Her hair is still very short. That's why she'll wear a shoulder-length, sleek reddish-brown wig to her prom Saturday, her mom said.
As part of a community-wide outpouring of kindness, Jag's Replacements, a Fairfield wig shop, donated the wig and David's Bridal in Springdale donated a lilac prom dress and accessories to replace a gown that Clark's attackers destroyed.