I think they should get the maximum penalty

[silymaury]

This is sad, Luis Ramirez didn't have to lose his life, these boys killed a human, there should be no mercy because the victim wasn't a "citizen of the US of America". I hope they get what they deserve.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/18/shenadoah.beating.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

[simply-heartfelt]

:ditto:

[chalakita]

:ditto:

[mouse7r]

:ditto:

[y14gemini]

:ditto: I think anyone that commits a crime like this or rape or other crimes.

[leoshannon]

This is soooooooooooo Sad.

[perez782]

I agree...

[arcoiris]

It takes a lot of hate to beat a person to death. That's a different sort of crime. I'm glad to see the feds get involved and take the lead on getting these guys prosecuted. Otherwise, I'm sure they would have gotten off with a slap on the wrist from the local police department and a nice thank you note on behalf the KKK, because that's just what it looked like was about to happen.
However, I can't say that I'm ever happy to see more suffering like I know those kid's parents are feeling right now, especially knowing the fate that lies ahead for those boys going to a federal men's prison. Or how empty any conviction will still feel to the Ramirez family. No matter what happens to those boys, their baby Luis is never coming back. And the boy's parents will face loosing their babies to prison. Everyone lost either a child, parent, or husband. I suppose the only consolation is that justice will be metered out along the lines of the law rather than race, as was in the past. But you'd think we all as humans would have evolved beyond such barbaric crimes and punishments.

[jeialeigh]

I feel like this is really a series of unfortunate events... granted the boys should not have made the comments that incited the fight, nor should they have all 3 ganged up on 1 person when they realized their friend was getting a beat down, nor should they have kicked him while he was down...

BUT, the couple also could have just left when they realized the situation was escalating. Can you imagine watching your SO die in front of you?? and being helpless to do anything about it??

The boys are being charged with 3rd degree murder as adults. If they go to federal prison, they will be subject to torture, rape, assault, etc until they complete their sentence. I agree with what ArcoIris said that everyone here is suffering. Granted, the boys deserve punishment, but I can't help but feel a little bad for them and their families.

BUT, this does appear to be somewhat hate-motivated and I'm wondering why no hate crime charge has been mentioned??

[ojos_de_alicia]

my husband said he knew that guy :(

all around its a sad story.. and for the young adults that have been interviewed in that town saying its all the mexicans fault for how the crime has gone up is infurriating
Edit:
im confused.. in this article they said he was in the park with a teenage girl..

but then it says he was engaged to a 24 yr old with 2 kids...?????

[christytorres]

This is a sad story..but did you read the comments people wrote..the one that said..hey he came here illegally, so he is punished..but not Death, right...

[jeialeigh]

Christy.. I did read the comments and you're right, some of them were very derogatory, BUT there were also a few statements about parenting and violence in today's society and how no one deserves this kind of death that I thought were quite positive and thought provoking... I honestly expected to see many more negative comments than there actually were.... Score 1 for humanity!

[JennyM]

I think there was more good than bad comments.

[hilarya]

that is so sad. what in the heck do you tell your kids after something like that happens to their dad? que tristeza!

[Brisa6]

What a shame that these young men were driven to do this. We need to be careful what we teach our kids. All that hate is driven by what they hear from the people around them. This is terrible and then stupid comments like "Our tax dollars should be spent on us not illegals" heard that on the news last night. Stupid people!

[arcoiris]

They learned it around the dinner table, no doubt about it, and you see where it got them. Imagine being the parent that taught them to hate. And it probably started with that whole "they use up all my tax dollars" argument, which is just a thin guise to underlying racism. I may even never be outright spoken, but implied every time it's said.