Patrick, whose last name is being withheld, was 14 when he and an older friend broke into a boathouse in Arundel, Maine, on July 7, 2002, to steal a marine radio.
When the two saw security cameras inside, they burned down the boathouse to destroy evidence that might link themselves to the crime. The fire burned down the building and several boats and engines stored there, including a boat engine owned by the elder Bush, who had a summer home in Kennebunkport, just seven miles from the boatyard. article
Okay, okay, okay. Stop. That was reeeeeeeeeeeally stupid. Maybe the security camera was linked to a live feed, which would have made it too late to do anything about, but burn down the boathouse? How about destroy the camera, kids?
Okay, so the kids aren't bright. Let's shake our heads and go on....
The boy's parents, who live in Kennebunkport, first learned about the crime when U.S. Secret Service officers showed up at their home.
"There were Secret Service, ATF agents, fire marshals and local police," the boy's mother, Denise Collier said in an exclusive interview on Good Morning America. "They said that they had concerns that this could be a terrorist attack. They cited national security concerns."
Well, of course. Terrorists target singular boathouses, don't they?
The boy's parents are appealing what they say is a harsh and unfair sentence of 30 months in federal prison. They believe their son is being singled out because of misplaced security concerns, politics and the desire by federal agents to send a message.
Patrick was prepared to plead guilty to local prosecutors, but the case was then turned over to federal prosecutors.
"There seems to be no rational explanation for why Patrick was turned over to the federal justice system," the boy's stepfather and appeals attorney Robert Mongue said. "Every time we asked, we got a different answer, and none of the answers made sense.
Join a large and growing club, folks.
Paula Silsby, the chief federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's office in Maine, declined to appear on Good Morning America, but did issue a statement. When asked whether the prosecution of the case was influenced by the former president's role, she said "absolutely not."
"Arson is a crime of violence," Silsby said.
I'm not sure just how that makes it a federal offense. You?
The other young man involved, Christopher Conley, 19, of Kennebunkport, pleaded guilty last January to arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and aiding and abetting such conduct.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere. This particular boathouse was used in interstate and foreign commerce. This boathouse in Kennebunkport that housed one of Poppy's boat engines. I think there's just a wee little bit more to this story that needs to be looked at.
No, I'm not going to investigate. Just wonder.
Patrick's case goes to court January 8. Maybe we'll get some more information then.
Since Patrick was committed to a maximum security facility this past August, his parents are only able to speak with him for five minutes once a week.
"He is scared. He's sad," Collier said. "He's not happy being where he is. It's a very tough situation."
Yeah, well Patrick was a stupid kid. Patrick commited a crime. But, Jeez, maximum security? And his parents can't speak to him for more than five minutes a week? Good lord.
Do people who mete out this kind of "justice" believe in what they do? Or are they just mean SOBs?
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
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