I think the smart thing for the families to do , is not make any more comments on this. If I was the D A I would be sitting back, and reading , getting ready to make my case .

One more thing I almost forgot! I'll be sure to let the publishers and editors of the English dictionary know that they are now on the side of criminals and law breakers because of the choice of words they choose to define in their dictionaries! I'll let you know how that goes!

Continuation to "Bubbleheadjones" you made it about these people because I had already apologized for my "poor" choice of words, but NOW, I STAND BEHIND WHAT I SAID! They are not heroes! HEROES don't get paid for what they do, They do it because they know in their hearts that it is the right thing to do! In this case however, money was the object of their affection! IF THEY REALLY LOVE THIS TOWN AND ARE SADDENED BY WHAT HAPPENED, then the RIGHT thing to do would take that money and turn around and donate it to Christmas in the Park, because that is what I WOULD DO! Now, after that being said, if that is what they do with money, then God bless them and my work here is done!! The next time you decide to speak of someone or something, make sure you know what you are speaking of! And just so you and anyone else who has a problem with me, THE ONLY PERSON I CARE TO IMPRESS OR EVEN GIVE A CARE OF WHAT THEY THINK OF ME, IS GOD HIMSELF! I can guarantee that He does not think the same of me as you do!

BubbleheadJones: The next time you decide to bash me and take it upon yourself to determine what kind of person I am and what side of the law I am on, which for YOUR information is the side of fairness and justice, make sure you get your facts straight and know who you are speaking of! IF YOU OPEN A DICTIONARY, THE AMERICAN HERITAGE ONE FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WILL FIND THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION FOR THE WORD "SNITCH" Snitch: 1. to steal OR 2. TO TURN INFORMER NOW, I don't know about you, but to me anyone who takes reward money from the "law" in exchange for information, is a SNITCH!!! I can almost guarantee that these wonderful citizens of Cuero who tipped off the cops, would not have done the same if there wasn't $2500 involved!! How does that saying go? Oh yeah, MONEY TALKS!!! And with Christmas right around the corner, it sure was blabbing in this case! F.Y.I. My problem was NEVER about these people

jeffjoe31----NO MATTER WHAT SOCIETY HAS TO SAY ON HERE, YOU STAND BY YOUR SON, HE NEEDS YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER!!!

No, I do not excuse him for what he has done, he needs to take ownership for it, and go forward. He does not need to use his special needs as a crutch, BUT he is NOT a hardened criminal, and he does not deserve to go to prison. Therefore, you hardhearted people get off your high horses and stop stoning him to death.

why is everyone so upset over a bond? It is what it is...The family needs to worry about how they can repay for what these kids have done. First time or not pay up. Families are crying that the loved ones are locked up and away from family, atleast you know where he is. He not running the streets at all hours.

jeffjoe31..."He does deserve to be punished and as I have said over and over even if the bond was 25,000 he would still sit there. If it was $5000 he would sit there one cause we can't afford to throw away money to get him out. If I could pay to get him out I would probably even against the wishes of the rest of his family leave him there so he could realize what he did was wrong."

I understand this statement even if some do not. jeffjoe31 is just knowing in his heart that the bond is way to high for the offense, that is all he is saying.

I do remember a sheriff in Victoria whom I had a real issue with the fact that he was accused of sexual offenses and was out on a PR bond. Give me a break!

jeffjoe31

Please be careful who you trust on your e-mails. I have found just when you think you can trust someone, they turn on you. That is why my friends are few, and I stick with family.

jeffjoe31..."He does deserve to be punished and as I have said over and over even if the bond was 25,000 he would still sit there. If it was $5000 he would sit there one cause we can't afford to throw away money to get him out. If I could pay to get him out I would probably even against the wishes of the rest of his family leave him there so he could realize what he did was wrong."

Okay, now I'm confused. If you have no intention of bonding him out regardless of the amount then why are you complaining that his bail has been set too high? YOU were the one who started the bond amount shouldn't be used as punishment string and I, along with others, agreed with you. But if you are willing to let him sit in jail "so he could realize what he did was wrong" regardless of the bond amount then the $150k isn't a consideration, is it? It sounds to me like you have decided to let him sit in jail until trial. I have no problem with that, but give a rest to the bail is too high complaint.

My email address is jeffjoe31@gmail.com if anyone else wants to write me they can and feel free to express your opinion openly

thank you

bubbleheadjones

you said:

If anything the fact that you are a cop and you are on here trying to deflect attention from what your son has done and try to turn him into the "poor victim" by excessive bond amounts is sickening.

You whine about the bond when you should be saying "Son, you can sit your [expletive] right there in jail for what you've done."

One other thing I will whine about the one and make him the poor victim when the bond is completely unfair even though he has been labeled a criminal he still has rights and deserves to be treated fairly. A $50,000 bond would have made sense and no one would have ever heard a word from me.

I am just trying to be there for the boy cause his real father didn't bother to show up when we called him and told him what was going on nor has he bothered to call. He doesn't even know if Shane is still in jail. He is just to embarrassed to get involved well I'm not gonna just let him fend for himself even though he did wrong. I know everyone is going to say now you wanna be there for him well that's your opinion and your right protected by the us constitution the same piece of paper that protects Shane from excessive bond amounts. Thats the whole issue here with me I had to call three placed Tuesday, the police dept, jail, and judges office, to confirm the bond amount cause I was so shocked by the amount given to a first time offender with no serious bodily injury. Like I have said over and over if it would have been a reasonable amount like $50,000 he still would be there and I wouldn't have said nothing at all.

One more point I'd like to make to you at the beginning of your first post you say you agree about the bond being to high then you criticize me for pointing this fact out I don't seem to understand that. You apparently feel that I should just let Shane be treated however and and not care cause he committed a crime. Why don't we just let everyone take Shane and Scott out to a pasture and beat them.

BubbleHeadJones

I had no intention of saying anything else cause much of what I'm saying is not being taken the way I mean for it to be taken. As far as special needs, well it has to be considered that Shane is immature and while he does know whats right and wrong he nor Scott realized just how much the displays meant to Cuero, and the people involved. They were dumb enough to think they could knock them over and someone would just come pick them up and put them back. We have tried over and over to try and teach him responsibility and the value of things. He does deserve to be punished and as I have said over and over even if the bond was 25,000 he would still sit there. If it was $5000 he would sit there one cause we can't afford to throw away money to get him out. If I could pay to get him out I would probably even against the wishes of the rest of his family leave him there so he could realize what he did was wrong. This may be the eye opener that he needed that I couldn't make him see. With all that said my former occupation as a police officer has nothing to do with me trying to get him out of less trouble because it won't. I was just using past experience that I have actually lived and not assumed as examples and if the examples I used offended anyone well it's the truth and I used no ones names. I am not in anyway saying that Shane deserves special treatment cause his step dad was once a cop. What I am saying is that $150,000 bond amount is being used as a way to make sure he sits in jail. It is being used as payback and revenge thats my opinion and thats not right. As far as my six year old well there has been to much attention of all this and they are all aware of it I'm not going to sugar coat it for them. She knows that people are bad mouthing her brother and she just knows that he is her big brother and she loves him. All of my points bringing up my past as a cop were to say that I just wish when a police officer or even a civilian gets hurt their offenders bond is set as high as Shane's was. I to this day have three family members that are police officers two in the local area and one in San Antonio and numerous friends. Shane will pay for his mistakes for the rest of his life. Even though Shane admitted to his crime he has not even been convicted but yet he is already being punished by insuring he will not get out of jail until he is convicted. I do find it very hard to believe that if you were in the same situation you would leave your child sitting in jail if you could get them out. You might just might leave them there but you can't say that it wouldn't eat you alive knowing you were doing it. I know cause its been tearing me up for days, like I said I am torn between the law and Shane but like I said he is the brother of my daughter's and what hurts them hurts me

"i know that they diserve to be punished but why the high bond dont again make sense. and if these boys would have had something to do here in cuero they might not have been bored enough to go destroy the park. cuero has nothing to offer these kids. yeah they say dont let ur kids watch to much tv or play to many console games so what are they supposed to do . they built a best western motel here why not a theatre or something else these kids can go an do, u know this town is notall about historical places an older people there are plenty of kids in this town, an in that case if this town dont want kids then what are they supposed to do."

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

I have read all comments, and also agree bond is to high. Look at paper today with 21 year old & 14 year old 54 counts of child porn etc... his bond is $40,000.00 per count

I keep it to real:

Really? You're mad at the "snitch"? Or are you mad that you didn't get the money. I can not believe you posted that. They knew who did it, and turned them in, period. There was a reward offered and they got it. Same thing happens with other vandalism and CRIMESTOPPERS acts. Don't try to turn this around on the person that turned them in, that person did the right thing!

Ok guys this is getting sad...yes the bond is too high but they wont get out anyway if it was 25,000 and they wont go to prison either..yes it was bad what they did but its not enough to send the mob after them we all did stupid stuff before..maybe not to that extent but none of us are perfect its not worth saying anything about past happenings or football etc....jeffjoe take a deep breath it will be ok your family will survive this and grow from it and your daughters i can quarentee will learn what not to do from their brother and will be stronger..keep your head up...please guys the mudslinging is RIDICULOUS!!!

you know i dont get why ppl do stupid things like that.i went to school with both of em there didnt seem to be anything wrong with them.Stop making excuses for them boys if you cant do the time dont do the crime,stupid things like that doesnt make it easier on anybody else around,just makes the cuero PD'S worse here in cuero.Whoever the snitch was? come on now are you in need of that money that bad around this town once your a snitch your always a snitch you cant hide your name forever time will tell an the truth will slip out.

The amount of comments about this is absolutely ridiculous....tells me alot of people have alot of time on their hands to sit here and argue about what should or should not happen to these boys. Christmas lights valued at $150,000 yes thats alot of money...but the value of life is priceless...they didnt murder anyone,they didnt rape a 4 yr old little girl,no one was injured during this act. Those lights can be replaced...the best punishment for these boys is restitution and alot of community service hours. Prison is a joke criminals dont learn from going to prison they come out doing the same thing why? b/c prison life is better than what we have. 3 meals, air&heat,clean clothes, no bills to pay , no taxes, etc. And they wonder why prisons are so damn full...lol
I was on 10 years probation for my first felony offense at the age of 18, those 10 yrs flew by so fast I cant even remember them, but I do remember the 365 hours of community service I had to do (washing police cars, chopping grass, picking up trash along the highway) That was what made me not wanna commit another crime...so my point is make them work it off...the lesson will be learned. And as for Jeff remember what I told you... God Bless you & your family and trust me everything will work out okay. Dont let these hateful people get to you...their day will come sooner or later & they'll have to answer to someone higher than a judge lol

To whoever keeps insisting that the displays should have depreciated in value, let me say this....If someone willfully destroys others property, the damages should NOT be assessed on current or depreciated value, it should be based on REPLACEMENT value. The owners of said property should not have to suffer anymore than they already have & should not lose anymore than they already have. They did not destroy their property, nor did they ask for it to be destroyed by some thoughtless person.

Mr. Enriquez, I appreciate your last post.

To Scotts family member...I would be careful what you sling, if it wasn't admissable in court, by stating it here, you are opening yourself up to a lawsuit.

First off, I agree the bail is to high, and yes punishment is well deserved for the two offenders.

Look at it this way though, since a large amount of Christmas lights have gotten wet or have been rendered unusable by this act of vandalism, the people in charge can apply for a green energy stimulus grant and replace the old lights with new more efficient LED Christmas lights. Lowe's is offering a $3 discount for every old string brought in to purchase new LED ones.

Then apply for some green energy federal stimulus money to cover the rest of the cost.

Free new lights thanks to President Obama and everyone is happy.

Amen!!

Well said classylady. Let he w/o sin cast the first stone. We are all blessed to not receive what we truly deserve in life by the grace of God, including these kids. It is a crime that must be paid for. Even Jesus submitted to the guards who captured him in the garden and even paid taxes to that very government who ultimately crucified him. Now that doesn’t seem very fair to me, but it is a living parable. As unfair as this seems, in regards to the bail, these kids need to submit to the authorities and realize that we do not live in a perfect world. Better to pay for it here on earth I say.

And I don't mean to refer to the display as just "some" lights and decorations, I mean that they are material things that can be replaced.

The spirit of christmas is not just about some Christmas lights and decorations. Though they were beautiful and brought joy for all to see, they CAN and WILL be replaced. The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to be thankful for one another! Since this is about Christmas, I think we all need to reflect on the things that Christ has taught us and that is forgiveness. If Jesus had it in him to forgive a murderer and a thief and ascend them into Heaven with him, then who are we not to find it in our hearts to forgive these two boys for their VERY STUPID decision....And to pass judgement on their families, another thing Christ ask us NOT to do, is simply low. I HAVE to agree with oldbill, That for all this is just a blessing in disguise. I think the best punishment for these boys is to volunteer every year for the next ten, twenty years, and see first hand just how much work, time and effort goes into this Display, maybe then they will look at it as just more than something "there" in their town! And if they have to donate or raise money for this event every year for the rest of their lives, so be it! I pray that all will find peace with this!

This is just my opinion but I really don't care to see these two boys standing around at the end of the park with SIGNS stating they vandalized it..To me it would completely take away the joy and pleasure of the experience that I intended to go there for...and just think of what the impression would be on the folks that visit from out-of-town or another state.....Do you really want them to exit out of that park with that as a lasting memory? I sure don't and nor would I want my family to see it.

all I know the christmas spirit was taken. I hope its up and runnig so the family can make a trip up there and spend some money in Cuero.

somebody needs to stay and watch out for the mean people during the football game.

Yes, the bail is excessive. I don't condone criminal behavior, at any age. Especially senseless crimes like this. It is imperative that everyone should be held responsible for their own actions.

But, let's face it. It was NOT a violent act against a person. These kids were simply mischecious. Yes, there was a lot of damage, more than a mere windshield or a mailbox. But, that's about the only difference in this case. There are many kids who vandalize on a much smaller scale. But, you could never get kids or parents to admit to it. When I was a teen, I was influenced by my cousin to damage a couple of mailboxes. That's the extent of my criminal career. It was completely wrong and I did get away with it. These boys should be taught a lesson, but I honestly do not believe that prison is the answer for their offense. I do understand the community's outrage. But, these aren't hardened criminals. I think that the punishment should fit the offender. They are just kids who pulled a stupid prank in which the damage costs more than a mailbox. I say give them a chance. That's what probabtion is for.

jeffjoe31,
This event, though tragic in many aspects, is a blessing in the long run. We have to call it what it is, and it is a crime. When we, or our children, are not submissive to authority, we are hence permissive to wrongdoings. This is both real world and biblical. Better for these kids to have a chance of learning that life isn’t fair and for every action there is a reaction, rather than being shot while performing a petty theft. Being shot would be a whole lot more unfair than a lopsided bail. Nonetheless, this is a great opportunity for these kids to start anew because what is done is done.

Life isn't fair and you and your family have my prayers and right now you are experiencing the worst part of a blessing.

I think these boys should have to work community service at the park and wear a large sign that says, "I am responsible for vandalizing Christmas in the Park" and work there at the park so all can see. I think they should also have to pay back for the distruction they caused. They may be crying all day because they feel bad for what they did but would they be crying if they had not gotten caught? Besides tears have no value here, those tears can't pay for the distruction. Shame on you two boys.

I STILL SAY THE DISPLAY THAT WAS VANDALIZE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME VALUE IN PRICE AS WHEN IT WAS BOUGHT..THE DISPLAY HAS BEEN PUT UP FOR NUMEROUS YEARS AND I BELIEVE IT HAS DEPRECIATED IN PRICE AS A VEHICLE DOES.THE BOND IS AN EXAGGERATION. I AGREE THAT A BOND IS SET TO PREVENT THE SUBJECTS INVOLVED FROM FLEEING--BUT WHERE ARE THIS BOYS GOING TO FLEE TO?

I think this story from the CBS TV station in Corpus Christi will show the point jeffjoe is trying to make and the question is do both of these crimes deserve the same bond amount I don't think so. What happened to the lights and displays can be replaced and yes even by the defendants over the next several years, but what happen to the little girls can never ever be fixed

FLOUR BLUFF - Police arrested 37-year-old Juan Salinas for allegedly fondling three girls from Flour Bluff.

Police said it was back in May when one of the girls told a school official that she had been touched inappropriately. That touch ended up becoming a much bigger case.

"It evolved into an indecency case involving three little girls in the Bluff area," said Lieutenant Isaac Valencia with the Corpus Christi Police Department.

Police said Salinas met the girls at Cool Cats Toy Museum in Flour Bluff where Salinas was a customer.

"And there he would do his little thing," Valencia said, "trying to befriend them, so that he could get close to them and do his little sexual acts."

Beverly Hill owns a resale shop close to Cool Cats.

She said she allows her son to go there to trade cards.

He'll go down there, and you sign a release form and pay I think it's like three dollars," Hill said. "He spends like four or five hours down there playing cards."

Action Ten News spoke with the owner of Cool Cats by phone Wednesday.

She said Salinas used to go to Cool Cats with his son.

She said security cameras never caught Salinas doing anything wrong.

Police said Salinas would get the girls to go with him in his car, and that's when the alleged fondling took place.

Salinas was put in jail Tuesday with a $150,000.00 bond.

Police said he was charged with three second degree felonies for indecency with a child.

I personally do not know Jeff but I agree the bail is way to high.
To everyone else out there commenting on how Jeff raised his children. Unless you are close to this family you do not know how how his children were raised, so drop the subject of how his childen were raised. If you were in Jeff's shoes and this was your child how would you feel about the comments?
I was raised by a mom & dad who always insisted on knowing where I was, but I managed to be elsewhere and do somethings I am not to proud of.
I agree what happened was a terrible thing. I did some things at that age I am not proud of. Let the courts decide proper punishment for the 2 boys.
If everyone that spent so much time commenting on this terrible event, would spend a equal amount of time commenting on what is happening in the government at city, county, state and federal levels this country would not be in the shape it is today.

As detestable as I find the vandalism in the park, I do agree with jeffjoe31 in the matter of bail. Bail is not supposed to be punishement, rather it is to ensure the defendant will remain available for trial. Indeed, the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution states, "Excessive bail shall not be required...." I believe that a bail reduction hearing will be successful since bail in this case does seem excessive. Punishment is appropriate and should, I believe, entail restitution. Now, that may take a while, but I believe that it is preferable to imprisonment. Requiring them to repair/rebuild/replace the damage they did would, I think, be a more effective punishment than prison. Just my two cents.

TWINKLETOES

just so you know I wasn't trying to use the disability defense I was just telling you about him that's it he does know right from wrong and it hurts me to know that he is hurting and people that I still to this day care about are hurting and that is directed to the City of Cuero and County of Dewitt. I am originally from Victoria but Cuero has been home for years now. I would give anything to take this all back and make sure those people from citizens that I don't even know to my former supervisors had their displays up and ready to go for Monday, my families holidays will not be the same this year so we too are being punished and rightfully so but I want everyone to know that we to do feel your pain and some of my post might have gotten out of hand, but yesterday was a hard day as is today its hard on my other kids who are use to having him around so I took some of the things personal and just used this as a way to express anger and frustration that I couldn't fix what was done and please don't take that as Shane being caught I meant by the display's being destroyed if I could fix them I would just to know that the displays are where they need to be. His mother is also sorry. His mother and grandmother have been crying since this all happened. I don't expect or ask for sympathy I just want everyone to know that we too are devastated by the destruction and pain it has caused to everyone involved and that the police dept and county had to waste their time and resources on such a dumb act when they should be focusing on more important issues so once again I say we are sorry, its just hard to see a boy you have seen grow up since he was 4 be locked up and know that you might have not done your best to make sure this never happened to him.

I say take this thread to the ladies on "The View" and let them sort it out. :)

I wish I would have read you lst post before I submitted mine. I would have added that you do sound sincere. I would complain that rapists and murderers bail are too low. You know this is his first offense so the punishment will not be the max. Just don't use the disability defense, people are tired of it. Do you really want him home? Then you would be a prisoner trying to make sure he stays out of trouble. Let him sit it out and learn from this situation.

JeffJoe I will print it out and keep it. My life has not been perfect, but I don't make excuses for my children. You are an enabler. I too raised three stepkids that came from an abusive background. Their mother lost custody when they were 7,10,and 11. The second week we had them the middle child punched someone in the face at school. Juvinile detention picked her up for 10 days and fined her. She did her 10 days, I made her write a letter of apology to the other girl, and when she turned 18 and wanted to get her drivers license she had a huge fine to pay. I didn't go plead her case for her, I told the others if you do the crime then you do the time. We didn't take her food, or perfume to the center, we let her sit there and think about why she was there. We made responsible for HER actions! Funny, that lesson taught everyone in our household to be responsible for their own actions. I am pleased to say both girls are college graduates and my stepson is at UT in Austin. My biological children are A honor roll kids. Everyone is expected to do their part in our family. So, Mr. Jeff I too have experienced adversity, the only difference is I didn't make excuses for the kids. I am not just putting the blame on your bad parenting, I include his mother as well.

you know what everyone I've made mistakes and I too have done wrong and no it doesn't matter that others have done the same I was responsible for my own actions and yes I was responsible for Shane and it is eating me alive that he walked out that door that night I have never said he doesn't need to be punished or in jail of course he does he needs to see what he did was wrong no one knows what we went through trying to make sure he was raised right. I am not trying to make excuses for him or anything of that nature I am just trying to express a feeling that the bond was to high $25k 50K I wouldn't have said a word but there are rules that need to be followed just like Shane should have followed those same rules I am sorry to any persons and families involved with the lights in Cuero. I have said numerous times that me and my kids enjoying going and seeing the lights and two of the displays honors the badge I use to wear and my former Sheriff who I had enormous respect for. So I too feel violated and upset by it and before Shane was caught we were mad at the persons who did it and we are mad at him but he still is family so if you can blame me for defending him go ahead everyone here would do the same for one of their own thank you I am sorry and everyone take care

exresident, yes i am enjoying the lovely fall weather.

I like to argue, but will have to agree with JeffJoe here. Yes, the kids messed up and committed/confessed to a crime, but they are not dangerous to society nor are they a flight risk. I feel the city was doing this due to the outcry by all the media about finding the culprits. Wait until their day in court to give out the punishment.

Art. 17.15. [281] [329] [317] RULES FOR FIXING AMOUNT OF
BAIL. The amount of bail to be required in any case is to be
regulated by the court, judge, magistrate or officer taking the
bail; they are to be governed in the exercise of this discretion by
the Constitution and by the following rules:
1. The bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable
assurance that the undertaking will be complied with.
2. The power to require bail is not to be so used as to make it
an instrument of oppression.
3. The nature of the offense and the circumstances under
which it was committed are to be considered.
4. The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may
be taken upon this point.
5. The future safety of a victim of the alleged offense and
the community shall be considered

How the bond being set at $150,000 is unfair is beyond me. These two "CONFESSED" criminals destroyed $150,000 worth of property that I for one enjoy thoroughly each and every year. To make matter worse, this is not one individuals property. Christmas in the Park is a truly community project, with financial donations, and lots and lots of time put into setting this up each year. And of course they are remorseful now, they got caught. As someone said earlier where was their remorse the night it happened of the day after or two days after. It was nowhere to be found, because Im sure they were bragging to their friends, which in the end Im sure got them caught. Either way to try and say that this bond is some egregious, unconstitutional act is quite frankly a joke. These two got what they deserved, and will have to face the facts that crime doesn't pay. I commend the Cuero Police Department, especially lead investigator J. Timpone on his thorough investigation, and JP Mayer on doing what she thought was the right thing to do. It blows my mind that some of you would turn this around on them rather then focusing your attention on correcting the mistakes of two "CONFESSED" criminals.

TWINKLETOES

please do me a favor and print out your last response and keep it with you for the rest of your life and pull it out when your perfect kids screw up cause believe me they will. As far as my daughters are concerned well that is my business, my stepson did something horrible and deserves to be punished but within the scope of the law and not for special reasons thats my point and you know nothing about what happened in his life so don't sit here and bad mouth me as a parent all I was doing was stating fact I'm sure someone in your perfect family did something wrong in the past or is hooked on drugs or is in prison so quit giving out parenting advise remember I wouldn't have made a comment to you in that regard had you not opened the door and if I want to write on here defending myself well thats my business.

JeffJoe 31---
Do you watch your kids 24/7 probably not and believe me I've have found plenty of daddy's sweet little innocent girls and boys on back roads doing things that they would NEVER do cause they are my kids until mommy and daddy get the phone call so once again look in the mirror before you speak and don't question how I try and provide and raise my kids

This was from yesterdays post written to me... I will respond by telling you I DO KNOW WHAT MY CHILDREN ARE UP TO EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY!!! I have a 10 year old and a 14 year old involved in competition dance and karate. They have a very structured life with very active parents involved in their lives. My children are not allowed to go anywhere unattended. Their friends are always welcomed in our home and use it as their hang out place. My husband and I always supervise. When they go to the movies, one of us goes with them. You should have called and made sure your son got to his destination, or got up off your A-- and took him there yourself. Too many parents are quick to just get their kids out of the house. I cherish every moment with my children... and I work a full-time and a part-time job. Since your son was doing so poorly in school, I wouldn't have washed my hands of it, I would have attended his classes and worked with tutors and parent liasons. Your solution was to quit. You quit on the school system and your child. This is why he is in the situation he is in, nobody stepped up to the plate and spent the necessary extra time to teach him right from wrong... you just allowed him to slip through the cracks.
I don't think he will get any prison time for this first offense, but I do hope he gets probation and restitution. Somebody needs to keep tabs on him because his parents are conditioned to only make excuses for him. This little county jail stint could be the turning point in his life.
Don't think I am not sympathetic to your plight, I know it is going to be hard for your family in this small town, but I hoped you learned from this yourself. You have 3 daughters at home, pay a little closer attention to them and their needs. Instead of Daddy defending himself on the internet, read a book to the six year old. refocus on the kids you still have with you and make a difference in their lives.
As for the Marines, he can kiss that goodbye... they don't take too many felons in their family. Given his educational background and lack of initiative I think they would have weeded him out from the getgo.

Semper Fi, Do or DIE!

flickinglizzard

I did have most of my Christmas lights stolen last year. I put more back up, and it must have been a suppositious person who did it, because I made a sign which read, "If you steal these lights again something VERY bad will happen to you and your family". hahahaha The sign was tampered with, but the lights stayed there for the rest of the year.

donewrong,

Informing you that you are doing others a disservice (you are), is not the same as saying you cannot express your opinion. I would appreciate if you were to refrain from mischaracterizing both the content and demeanor of my posts in the future. Other than that, I look forward to finding some level of agreement with you, and hope you enjoy this lovely fall weather.

butwiser..."The kids should stay in jail where they can't fail to take the time to think again. I am so tired of non-responsibility and it is always someone else's fault. It is like a mass murder claiming he couldn't help it because his mom didn't by him an ice cream cone when he was three!"....
i guess thats why he's special needs then...

exresident you are the one who said that i was doing the family a disservice by the point i was trying to make. i used the other as an example on how the judicial system works in cuero. and i'm not saying that these two boys should go free. once again punish them but be fair about it. that is all that i am saying. BE FAIR WITH YOUR JUDGEMENT AND WITH THE PUNISHMENT!

The damages were estimated at $150,000. The bond is $150,000. If the criminals show up for court, they get the bond money back. They can then turn it over for the damages. If they can't get the bond together, they can't pay the damages. The kids should stay in jail where they can't fail to take the time to think again. I am so tired of non-responsibility and it is always someone else's fault. It is like a mass murder claiming he couldn't help it because his mom didn't by him an ice cream cone when he was three!

"HiptyDipty

The JP's comments are indicative of an oppressive use of bail. Bail is for the purpose of insuring the defendant's appearance at trial, not because "the citizens of DeWitt County and the surrounding area were very upset..."

HiptyDipty...you are exactly right. I in no way condone what this "child" has done. Nor am I willing to get into all this dispute that is going on in this thread. However, setting bail for this felony vandalism at $150,000 is very excessive, when more criminal acts that cause severe bodily injury do NOT have such excessive bail amounts. I would think any competent attorney could get that amount reduced easily.

I'm sorry, donewrong, can you point me to where I said others cannot express their opinions?

Of course, judging from the way you rushed to say I had "a problem," after my polite attempt to discuss this with you, I doubt that you're capable of discerning between what others have actually said and what you want them to have said...

Learn to handle yourself in a discussion like an adult, and I will be happy to discuss this matter with you further. Until you can do that though, I will waste no more time with you.

i agree maryrita...the step father did say he was "special needs" kid...is that just because "he gave up" on school...i hope you have paper work saying from a pro. that he is... good luck in court..

I posted this yesterday on the breaking news; and, I feel compelled to repeat it today. I have read all of the comments, pro and con, and as a member of the group that sponsors Christmas in the Park, I just want you all to know that those 'some lights' are very expensive and take many, many hours for us to put up, and that every one of them was bought with donated money. I think you would all faint if you knew what all those 'some lights strung up' cost!! We work all year on this project with contacting donors, ordering scenes, publicity, meetings, upkeep of scenes and many other jobs that go with Christmas in the Park. You are all entitled to your opinion, but until you have worked for seven weeks to put up the scenes (just ask one of the seven old men), there is no way some of you can begin to understand how heartbreaking it was for the twenty of us (all volunteers, all retired and in the late 60s and early 70s) that Sunday morning when we saw the damage. Reactions have come from far and wide expressing disbelief that some one could do that kind of damage. It did not amount to 'only pulling up some stakes'. These scenes are made of angle iron and rebar, and if you could have seen how the paddlewheeler was twisted, they had to use something other than their hands to damage the boat. When the flag came out of the water (with two bucket trucks and nine men lifting it) it was shaped like an S, and to see a US flag so disrespected was awful!!! One last thing - it did not matter to us if the people who did the damage are unknown in the city; Gobblers; or some rich kid whose Daddy could buy him off - we would have pressed charges no matter who it was!!

well exresident that is all i was doing. so you can express your concerns but others can't. well when you have to bury your 18 year old son because of anothers reckless behavior then maybe you would see my point of how they want to treat these boys. yes they did wrong and they do deserve to be punished but be fair with the punishment. have a good day!!!!

the step father: you cannot compare assult to vandals, you get punched in the face, no cost... you destroy property, that much, and BOOM, high bond...but it still is too high....when i was that age i started to mess up bad.... my mom had a DPS officer take me on a tour of the jail... that helped...but it wasn't till i got put in for a couple of days that it straitened me out...5000 bail...and 1month in lock up with probation and comm. service i garentee that will straiten them up. don't beleive they will be worse when they come out(shanes sister) other suffer that because that the only life they know...help them

As I stated in another comment. Overall, yes, I know and agree this was very expensive equipment, and yes, it is from donations, I try to donate as much as possible each year, and so does my extended family that all live out of town, and come here to see the display. That said, these kids should not have a $150,000 bond. They should be punished, but they are NOT hardened criminals, they do NOT deserve to go to prison with hardened criminals, if some INSIST on serving time, then let it be in Juvenile Detention for a while with lots of hard community service to follow. In addition, a fine to pay for the lights over a period of years, as they are not rich, and part of that fine would be satisfied with some time in Juvenile Detention, but they do NOT deserve the same punishment as hardened habitual criminals. I worked as a nurse in a Maximum Security Prison ER, and the guys in there sure were NOT in there for vandalism, so the time would NOT match the crime if they were to be put in prison vs Juvenile Detention.
Not that I care but, in addition, I will probably get lots of flack from this comment, but jeffjoe31 you need to get a change of venue if possible, most of Cuero has already hung your son

I wish for a Very Merry Christmas for all the kids in the surrounding areas. I moved here last year and have been looking forward to Christmas in the Park this year, when I heard of this incident it broke my heart. I'm glad they found the ones who committed the crime, so now maybe we can have a better Holiday season knowing the lights will be fixed soon!

Addressing you formally, and politely asking a question/stating my opinion qualifies as having "a problem?"

I can see this discussion will get nowhere...

..and yes, you were dragging out other people's dirty laundry. I haven't lived in the area for years, but am familiar with many of the cases (and the individuals behind them) that have been brought up in these threads. I know I'm not alone in that.

exresident what is your problem? I'm not dragging out other people's dirty laundry. I was just asking why the Judicial system in Cuero thinks that destroying property deserves more of a punishment than taking a life. I guess you must fall in the upper class range going by your post.

donewrong,

You do yourself and the defendants a disservice by dragging out others' dirty laundry. If your problem is with the way justice is handled in Cuero, it looks like this case might provide an opportunity to take it up in the proper venue. By deflecting criticism from the accused onto others for their unrelated transgressions, you only make more enemies for the two families involved.

Just something to consider.

JeffJoe,

Good luck to you guys. IMO, if this is a case of the JP using bail as a punitive measure, your best route of attack would be to stop posting here and get in touch with a lawyer. Abusing one's position of authority, particularly in a case like this, should not be acceptable to anyone. If this proves to be what is going on, as it appears from the JPs quote in the article, you guys need to prepare to "hit 'em where it hurts."

Close ranks, knuckle under and prepare for your day in court.

I have one question. Why is it that when someone from a lower to middle class family does something wrong, the judicial system wants to throw the book at them. But when you have a person from an upper class family, they just get a slap on the hand. For example, in 2004 Scott's cousin was killed in a car wreck. The young man driving the car is from a family that is in the upper class range. When the DPS Officer arrived at the scene, he did not order a blood test on the driver. But the Hospital did do blood work and just because the DPS Officer did not order it our wonderful district attorny would not let it be entered as evidence. And this boy or young man(HA) was dirty. So he was able to get away with taking a life. His punishment was that he had to do 30 days in jail and 7 yrs probation. So my question is, is the value of property worth more than a human life?

As more and more people become victim's of crime, more and more people are becoming tired of any excuse.

itsallfunny

Look I am not dwelling on my past as a cop I am using it to state that I have somewhat of an idea of how the system works and using past experience instead of just assuming things. I don't care about excuses for the boy and he does deserve to be punished probation for years community service fines you name it thats all fine by me. My whole point is that the bail cannot be used the way it is being used simple as that. As far as school my 6 year old is in school. Shane was still classified as a freshman after three years he was not learning no matter what we did and he gave up. He was going to go to job corp in san marcos where Scott is currently enrolled. However Shane wanted to go to the Marines so we were trying to make arrangements with Victoria College to get him his GED just so everyone knows ok. I locked people up cause they did wrong just as Shane and he deserves to be locked up but he also has rights that he is suppose to be protected by this is the USA. As far as proper use of the English language please this is a comments posting on a newspaper website. If i had to write a formal letter I would do just fine.

itsallfunny said-

"his life a long time ago and still dwells on it and that neither family realizes what punctuation is. "

Benford's law of controversy states:

Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available.

(I think this applies to literacy and the ability to communicate online as well...)

okay again this is scotts sister he was in school just not in cuero's school so hummmm yea

OK, we have heard from families of both the men involved. Noone really mentioned WHY these kids were not in school. The only thing I learned is one guy "risked" his life a long time ago and still dwells on it and that neither family realizes what punctuation is. I hope the 6 year old is in school.

"Christmas in the Park is near and dear to a lot of people. I knew the citizens of DeWitt County and the surrounding area were very upset and I felt the bond should be set high," Mayer said.

I think the quote above might come back to haunt the JP.

"My sister, your words can be held against you in a court of law.
My sister, you owe no allegiance to the facts."

Agreed porkay, which makes it doubly dreadful that no one seems to care as long it's everyone else being locked up. In this case, it is the stepfather who was at one point doing the locking (shame on him).

(Is turnabout fair play? I don't think so, but some folks most certainly do.)

Now as to the issue of using bail as a form of punishment, this is a clear-cut violation of the law and an outright abuse of authority. This is even more shameful than pulling a "well, they're worse." It is an abuse of power.

Disclaimer: Conjecture Below.

I'm going to assume that the JP has an inkling of what is coming for these young men, that is specifically 5-10 years probation, some community service, plus whatever comes of any civil suits that are, imo, nothing short of guaranteed. Her thinking is, set the bail artificially high to make sure they do serve SOME time at the very least; perhaps to "teach them a lesson," or to appease the town folk. (You know, extinguish the torches, put away the pitchforks, etc.)

Frankly, this smacks of electioneering.

That said, right now, DeWitt County might be the safest place for these two young men until some of the controversy simmers down. We'll just have to see.

i know my brother did wrong but their had to be a resson he does not just up and do something like that and yes im talking about scott rogers and yes he did go to school just not here and what about the people who vandalized the park on friday are they just getting a slap on the rist they are all involved in the park but yet they are only focused on scott and shane and that bond is outrages and prison time my brother is only 17 and this is his first time and he is dealing with alot just knowing that the wholetownof cuero looks at him diffent now and my brother knows what he has done is worng and that he needs a punishment but punishing him by making him go to prison what is that gonna solve hes only gonna come out worse but i am behind the punishment but not that big of one he did not murder anyone or rape anyone but yea them two get in trouble but the other ones dont that did it friday night just trying to make a point

Judge Mayer's comments are indicative of small town JPs. The fact that the community is "upset" is not a valid reason for setting excessive bail... as an "insturment of oppression" as referred to in Chapter 17, Rules for Fixing Amount of Bail, Code of Criminal Procedure. This is the "make 'em pay" attitude, before anybody has even been through court or convicted, that gives the criminal justice system its bad name and bad taste in peoples minds. Most of you people think you know all of the relevant facts (from the newspaper and these blogs) but I venture to say your attitudes will become drastically different when it's you or one of yours that becomes the accused in a criminal case. And it can happen to anyone given the climate in the State of Texas today (whether you're guilty or not).

sorry I needed to add an extra zero 150000.00

People we are talking about 15000.00 in damages ,& yall are going to take up for the kids ?? Lets say they came to your house & did 15000.00 in damages how would you feel? This is whats wrong with us as a country no body wants to pay for ther actions . The bond might be high , but Im willing to bet that after they go to court they want see another day behind bars, for this offense

Bond to high people say thats a laugh,Just Lights I read well I bet if it was the money you spend to put up lights in your yard and these punks destroyed your yard I bet you would sing a much different tune folks, It's the principle of the matter don't you soft hearted people get tired of the kids destroying things. Now all I read is SPECIAL NEEDS KID yea right bet he knows right from wrong.Think about it when they were sneaking around in the dark and decided to destroy the lights I bet they looked at each other and said, This is ok dude your a special needs kid and we can't get into trouble lets break them it's not wrong... Come on people when will you get enough of this????

Yes the Bail was high but the father making excuses for the kid is why he did this in the first place he is a criminal now all because he was not thought to respect what is not his

Torres "was" classified as a special needs student, but is not enrolled in school this year...and why is that? Did he graduate? And if not in school, why doesn't he have a job? Idle hands, etc. And, what is the excuse for the other teen, Scott Rogers? I say let them get a taste of what it's like to pay for your mistakes. Sitting in the local lock-up is only a sample of what a life of crime will get you.

The JP's comments are indicative of an oppressive use of bail. Bail is for the purpose of insuring the defendant's appearance at trial, not because "the citizens of DeWitt County and the surrounding area were very upset..."

jeffjoe theres alot of blinded people out there that only see it one way but until they go through it there gonna run there mouth I agree the bond is to high but it being a small town what can you expect I live in VICTORIA and the same thing happens here in my town child rapist , murders , repeat sex offenders have lower bonds but you break lights and what ever other damages you have an outrages bond was it that much damage or are they guessing that they did that much damage

The mayor obviously doesnt care about the youth of her own community. Is a bunch of chirstmas decorations really that important to set such a high bail? we all know that the average citizen doesnt have that kind of money so why place such a burden on their families, its not like they hurt anyone. they need punishment but within reason, dont punish the families

I think the bail is too high. But, Mr. Enriquez needs to take that issue up with his stepson, not with the city. I also wonder why, if the stepson HAS "special needs", he is not enrolled in school.

Also, why are you involving your 6 year old to this? You would think she is traumatized enough by her brothers actions....go play with your kids, let them get their minds off of this for a minute. Lord knows, they will not find peace in school with their peers for some time to come.

I guess you only address what you want to address...so I will ask again....why isn't your stepson enrolled in school? He is "special needs" so I assume he didn't graduate early.

jeffjoe and classylady, why can both of you have opinions backed by the 1st amendment but then degrade others for theirs by calling them stupid or drunks. i guess it's only a right when it applies to you. also i didn't see anywhere where hanging was brought up except by you. yes i agree the bail amounts you listed from your experience were too low but that does not mean that your stepson's is too high. as we all know 2 wrongs don't make a right.

booklady

ok one last time I am trying to make a simple point in MY OPINION the bond was set to high can I change it no i can't but I dont have to agree with it just like you have your opinions I have mine and I am using real world examples that I personally have knowledge of and the bail is a form assurance that a person will appear before the court to answer the charges against them it is not to be used as punishment he has not been convicted of anything even though he will plead out on the charges. Bail is a right that defendants have just like your freddom of speech right remember we do have a US constitution and a code of criminal procedure in Texas that gives that right to US citizens and it is not to be used as a form of oppression goodnight

jeffjoe31:
I wasn't trying to attack you, I am so sorry that you son has put you and your family and himself in this situation. My child walks outside around the block frequently and I too would not expect this type of behavior. My prayers are with you and your fmaily...as I mentioned they let felony charged child sex offenders out on $75,000 bond and it wasn't a first offense...not to mention the person is on probation for another crime.

Many prayers for you and your family...

Sincerely...

"Nope I must not be very bright...After all they just hand out PhD.'s (sic) to anyone who ask (sic) for them!"

Maybe they do in Corpus Christi, Classy Lady, but that certainly isn't how I earned mine.

Jeffjoe31, you are the one continually referring to your time in law enforcement, talking about "assaults against me as a police officer" "while I was out protecting others," etc. If it doesn't matter, stop working that fact into every post. You bring up a good point about bail for assaulting police officers and committing rape. Personally, I think bail shouldn't be allowed at all, especially when the person ADMITS committing the crime...like your stepson, for example. I might be more lenient in my convictions if he had, oh I don't know, taken responsibility and actually turned himself in instead of letting this play out in local, state, and national news and becoming a blight on the entire town.

ok well this has been a waste of time this all started out as a post saying we were sorry but maybe since we are horrible people and the parents of the cuero christmas grinch we should have just kept quite who knows we should just let him be hung and keep quite cause we have no rights for those of you that have been understanding and supportive thank you for the others ya'll are right and he should be punished to the full extent of the law and not consider anything thanks and good night

Nope I must not be very bright...After all they just hand out PhD.'s to anyone who ask for them!

Goodnight and everyone have a Blessed evening!

booklady

I respect your service to your community, but that doesn't excuse or lessen your stepson's actions; huh and no one said it did I dont understand that I could care less BOUT EXCUSING OR LESSING HIS ACTIONS HE DID WRONG but setting an absurd bond isnt going to fix anything its gonna cost taxpayers more money to feed him and house him in jail he is gonna plead guilty and take his reasonable punishment read the laws look at other more violent crimes and see what there bonds are you can rape a kid and get a $50,000 bond does that fit the crime

If one of the boy was a 'special needs STUDENT', then why did the article say "neither one were enrolled in the school district?"

You may be "classy," but you aren't very bright. Cuero doesn't "make a buck" by setting a high bail amount. I think it is fitting that the amount of bail is equal to the amount of damage done. And this isn't just about lights, it's about respecting the property and efforts of others and not destroying things simply because you can. Mr. Enriquez, I respect your service to your community, but that doesn't excuse or lessen your stepson's actions; it only makes it more painful and sad to know that he didn't learn how to behave responsibly and obey the law while you were putting your life on the line for your community.

victorianbybirth

the six year old is the one telling me to write you and defend her brother just so you know

and as for your question hmmm I was here at my house watching my three daughters mom was at work and the boy went walking to his friends house and they made the horrible decision to go walking through the park We trusted him and didnt think he would do anything this stupid we were wrong thats why I say to watch carefully how you state your opinions because I to was one who would question other parents and what they were thinking when their kids were out committing crimes now look at us. I dont want expect or ask for favors or special treatment punish him but do it right thats all

And I ask again, why isn't he enrolled in school?

Gosh exresident, did you run out of beer?! You must really like me to have to keep commenting to everything that I say on here?!

You make me laugh because nothing that I have said concerns you, yet you feel the need to bash me! Funny thing is you would never say that crap to my face now would you?!

Anyways....can someone get this guy a beer?!

This stupid crap made the Corpus news so of course I had to see what the "Breaking News" was!! lol

I think it is so funny how just because I agree with some of the other people, inculding one of the persons involved step-father, that all of a sudden he is my child!!

Keep my name out your mouth.....

Love,
Mrs. Classy =)

"Don't mind these people JeffJoe....you don't owe them anything".......maybe not classylady, but his family does owe the City of Cuero at least $75,000.00.

Instead of confronting people here, maybe he should be comforting his distraught children in their hour of need.

victorianbybirth

I dont know that you could if you tried really hard well anyways you have a wonderful night to just remember one day something could happen to you what goes around comes around believe me I know

It is sad that these 2 young men made such a poor choice...there is always a consequence to everything that a person does. They need to be punished no doubt, but I don't believe sending two 17 years olds to prison for such a crime will not solve the problem...turn them over to the system? I don't think that's the answer.

I would ask, where were the parents, why didn't they know where these two kids were? The kids and the parents need to make restitution and I believe you will probably gain a whole lot more mileage by having them travel throughout the Golden Cresent area and speak to other students in high school about the choices they made and the consequences...or like I said you can throw them in the pen, our tax dollars support them, they come out worse than they were before they went in...

I am not 100% up on the law but $150,000 bond for a first time offender of such a crime does seem high. Read the paper...they let sex offenders charged with felonies out on $75,000 bonds...hmmm....

My prayers to all involved that the right decisions for these young men are made. This may be the the opportunity to turn 2 kids around. There are some awesome youth centers and churches in the area with opportunity for serving the area for free (no pay) and in a managed environement...it might be a better choice than prison!

That's why I don't try...have a good night.

victorianbybirth

thats right they are special because they are mine but remember for years I left them to go and protect other special familes like yours without any regard that I might leave my special family behind so that your special family could be safe many people are taking what I am saying out of context. You can't fix stupid

Don't mind these people JeffJoe....you don't owe them anything! Let them believe what they want and you just worry about your family and step-son! You will never be able to get through to some people and to others, unless it happens to them, they will never understand! Quit apoligizing to people who are very unforgiving to begin with....

Your concern is your family....in the end God will do what is right for everyone this has affected! In my opinion, these kids were just being dumb and probably never thought all this bad would come out of it! But it has, so just roll with the punches and let people say what they want....remember there are three sides to every story...your side, their side and the TRUTH!

classylady said-

"I feel bad for the "Snitch,".....$150,000 worth of damage and you only got, what, $2500?! These decorations must not have been that important or they would have paid you more don't you think?!"

Classy indeed...

"I'm sorry that was out of line, but I live here in Corpus..."

Yea, you keep saying that...

Mr. Enriquez, I didn't realize I misspelled your name. You have been all over these threads referring to yourself as the stepdad, I was just referring to you as you have been referring to yourself. I am sure there are many heartbroken families of criminals in this world, why is yours special? Oh, because it's yours....sorry.

and one other thing when we heard what happened that following monday night I started questioning my stepson cause I knew he was out earlier that saturday night on foot I questioned him over and over and checked his shoes for mud or dirt and also his clothes to see if there was anything that I could use to prove he was there if I had found something or had he admitted it to me I would have turned him in myself

I'm sorry that was out of line, but I live here in Corpus and find it amazing that a man who just stabbed another person has a $75,000 bond and a kid would did something REAL, REAL stupid is being held for $150,000 bond! Are we sure that Cuero isn't just trying to make a buck! He should be punished, but wow that amount is just stupid!! Especially over lights!

victorianbybirth

first of all the last name is spelled enriquez second of all the bail is not to be used as punishment it is to insure that the defendants show up for court my stepson is already going to plead guilty we live in Cuero and he has other family members that are closely attached to cuero and dewitt county law enforcement we do not have tons of money or a private jet for him to flee the country he is going to face the music but he has three younger sisters who are scared and crying cause they are afraid he will never get out of jail even if the bond was $25,000 we would not be able to get him out I am no longer in law enforcement and if I was I wouldnt be asking for anything but fair and reasonable punishment and yes he didnt run up to the police and admit it but he is 17 how many people here are willing to run up and admit something thet have done wrong he is a kid who did a terrible thing we are sorry for this but its just the point of using a bail amount that high to make a point why dont we just sentence them both to be hung from a tree in downtown cuero since this is the worst crime ever committed in the history of cuero. I just wish the persons who committed assaults against me as a police officer would have had $150,000 bonds instead of $25,000 bonds so basically if you assault a police officer you will only get a small bond amount so you can be back out on the streets committing other crimes but if you break christmas lights you get a $150,000 bond like I said we are sorry my other kids all enjoy seeing the lights just as much as I do but its hard listening to your 6 year old daughter cry for her brother if I had the money to pay for all the repairs I would thanks have a good night

The parents are exactly using this "Special Needs" as an excuse now. If he was so "special", why was a guardian not watching out for him when he was out doing crime? What a cop out. 25 years ago when we were in school, and you acted as to be called "special needs", a paddle was taken to our butts and drove anything "special" out of you. I know so, I got my share of the paddle and the share for three or four others as well. And I turned out to be a working law abiding citizen.

I feel bad for the "Snitch,".....$150,000 worth of damage and you only got, what, $2500?! These decorations must not have been that important or they would have paid you more don't you think?!

I am an elementary teacher. We spend 1/2 our time trying to teach curriculum & the other 1/2 teaching rules, such as "Keep your hands to yourself." Why? For these situations. I was having a tough day with my kids when this incident hit the news. I sat my 1st graders down in front of the computer & pulled the story up online. I want them to understand how their actions (right & wrong) can affect others. They were appalled, angry & sad.

Also, as a teacher, defining a child as "special needs" is a VERY broad umbrella. Some children can be labeled that way with ADHD or MR or ED...there's a huge difference. Although it's none of my business what the child's issue is, he must realize he's responsible & take whatever punishment comes his way.

The two showed a total disregard for the law and the property of others, and I hope they are prosecuted to the absolute limit the judicial system allows. And when they get out, their wages should be garnished until the damage they caused is completely paid for.

Is the bail too high? No way. They are where they belong.

Enrique said his stepson is classified as a special needs student and that should be considered.

"I am not using that as an excuse, but it should be taken into consideration," he said.

Why should this be taken into consideration? To get a lighter sentence? If the kid showed remorse, then he knew what he did was wrong, therefore showing that he was able to reason...which means he understood what he was doing when he did it.

i like your idea helpme2...make them give a speech at the christmas lighting ceremony next week...

Glad they are caught and someone gave a tip!
I agree with previous three comments. No excuse, they should of been at home at night and in school during the day.

Yep, I agree jmo74...he didn't willingly confess, he only confessed after he was caught. I love how the step-dad is in law enforcement & is justifying his kids actions & upset over the bail amount. And why shouldn't the bail be used as punishment, he does deserve to be punished!

Of course he is crying and upset now, because he got caught. Was he crying the night he did it? I seriously doubt it! He knew what he was doing. Maybe not to what extent the damage would be, be he knew he was destroying something that wasn't his, and continued to do it, along with the other kid.

Make them wear a huge sign in the city. I am a real Grinch who vandalized Christmas in the Park. Make them pay for the damage.