Teen Tears Up During Fatal-Beating Sentencing
Published: September 30, 2009
TOLEDO, Ohio—An Ohio judge has ordered that a 16-year-old boy be locked up until he turns 21 for the beating death of a Toledo community activist.
Dai’Lahntae Jemison tearfully apologized for fatally injuring the 66-year-old man with a single punch to steal his bicycle. Jemison had been found delinquent earlier by Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Connie Zemmelman after he admitted to juvenile charges of murder and robbery.
Zemmelman told the teenager Wednesday she believed he was sorry, but added that his actions cut short a life. She imposed the sentence requested by the prosecutor and youth probation department.
Authorities say Robert Brundage had just left a meeting about workers’ rights on June 22 when Jemison hit him. Brundage died two weeks later.
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In both cases, there was no intent to kill someone; it was an unintended consequence. So I don’t know why people keep saying that this kid should be locked up so he doesn’t kill again. I read the posts about Brent Goode and a lot of people were mad that the sentence wasn’t longer, but no one suggested that he might kill again. Jemison did not use a weapon, nor did he “beat” him, but threw a single punch. He did not break and enter into someone’s home. So I think there are a lot worse criminals out there. I think there are a lot of men that have been in fights at some point in their lives, especially as a teenager, and never considered that someone might die as a result. Jemison’s actions just had very tragic results and he will pay the price for it.
It seems to me that Goode was sentenced 60 days for the intent – he didn’t mean to kill another person, but someone indeed lost their life as a result of his actions. Jemison’s sentence looks to be based on the result. Keeping a juvenile until he is 21 is common for serious crimes. Of course, it doesn’t say if he had been in trouble before which may have been a factor. So, I would take into account the result when considering the punishment, but I think you need to look at the intent when casting judgment about the person. Whatever my feelings are about the crimes he committed, I don’t view him as a killer as I would someone who used a weapon.
Okay, let me approach it from this angle. What personal information regarding Dai’Lahntae tells you that the only remorse he feels is that he was caught? Either you are inferring here based on prejudgment or you know him personally and know that his tears are for his own pity. I’d like to stake a bet on which is correct.
A fist punch in 95% of cases is simple assualt or less (the other 5% allocated to domestic assault, assualting and officer or official, etc.) My point is that if this had ended the way that it ALWAYS does, the kid would have gotten a maximum of a year in jail (that’s counting the 2 misdemeanors together). I would mourn the loss of my father, and I would be angry, but our judiciary system is based on retaliation. Yet again I say, an eye for an eye and the world goes blind.
Incidentally, I would also treat your case in a fair and reasonable mind and consider your motives as well as your age. I’d even leave my pitchfork at home. BUT if you were able to kill my my “[vulnerable] and [weak] elderly” father with a single punch at the age of 66, I wouldn’t simply give you a minor sentence, I’d build a religion around you!!
Really?
Where did “those people” come from? You are making an issue out a non issue. Especially since you have no idea who you are conversing with. Let’s go back to the point. Killing someone is not simple assult. Woops, I simply assulted your dad, good luck with the funeral arrangements. I mean really, I just wanted to rob him of his property.
Five years compared to an ended life? How does that equation work out? I know if I ever decide to kill someone, I want you in my jury! Especialy since I am poor and from a broken home. Mabey since I do have those factors working for me, you could just give me a couple years. It’s not my fault, I’m just a product of my inviornment. Five years might make me change my ways though. Can’t wait to see your vaunerable and week elderly dad when I get out. I promise I wouldn’t mean to kill again, I just want to punch really hard and see if someone still survives. Cherio pal.
Bellrides,
If poverty and upbringing have nothing to do with criminal behaviour then why are a ridiculous majority of crimes commited by the impoverished from broken homes? Pure coincidence? DO NOT bring up this idea that I do not think people should be held responsible for their actions again because I am not suggesting we ignore what he did and let him off with a warning and the repeated suggestion that I think he shouldn’t be held responsible is getting old and is not accurate and it detracts from the true discussion.
You say that the case of Goode and Foss but ironically 3 of the 4 facts you listed for this case apply to the that case. And the fact that doesn’t “Someone killed a man during the perpetration of a felonious crime” is innacurate. Neither petty theft or simple assualt are felonies. Your assumptions of Dai’Lahntae are based on nothing more than assumption based on “those people” which is no better than racism or sexism or any other case where a persons actions are predicted due to what they are (the bad people). This idea that 5 years in prison is comprable to a slap on the wrist is useless. You spend 5 years of your life locked away and then come and tell me how that really was nothing and has had zero effect on your life.
really?
really? Many of us have troubled pasts. The point is responsability and accountability. If I go jack and kill someone tommorrow, it is not my mothers parenting skills at fault. I would have made a choice. A 16yr knows the difference in between right and wrong.
The reference to the bar fight is not even remotely in the same category! Mutual combat is one thing, mugging and assulting an elderly man for a bike, completely another.
I never suggested that we “fry” our felonious youth, they need to be held accountable. That means a bit more than just holding them untill they are 21.
FACT: A man lost his life through no action of his own.
FACT: A family is grieving the loss of a family member through no action of their own.
FACT: Someone killed a man during the perpetration of a felonious crime.
FACT: The perpetrator has been identified.
“Let’s just give him a slap on the wrist and hope he doesn’t kill anyone elses dad when he get’s out.“ type of mentality is non sense. Do the crime, do the time. I’m sure he feels bad…..bad that he got caught. I’m also sure he’s a great guy…..when he’s not jacking old men. No matter what your upbringing, you know right from wrong.
Legal system, someone here posted it correctly. Thats all we have folks a huge legal system that eats money and runs on money. Guess who writes those laws that are interpreted for you in court ? Thats right—more lawyers. You can pick this apart any which way you want ... look at it from every angle that exist ...what you end up with is a punk kid hitting an old man when he wasnt even looking. Now where ya going to draw the line…people. We have a murderer that will walk free long before he is 21 and he will probably be back in prison for hurting someone else within five years. But thats fine with lawyers ... keeps that money rolling in .... and that is all they care about ...no matter what BS they try and tell you ...
“Regardless of which witness story we believe, why are we using a 60 day sentence as a frame of reference, and assuming anything longer is over punishment?“
My point is that many of our discussion mates are suggesting that Dai’Lahntae should have been tried as an adult as that would equate to a harsher sentence, whereas it very well could be that had he been tried as an adult he might have gotten off with a lesser sentence. The ultimate goal is the 5 years is more than sufficient and asking for more is simply wanting cruel and unusual punishment.
Anyways - i dont think we are going to reach a concensus on this one, so i am out! Good discussion everyone!
10tv reported that the perpetrator retaliated after being pushed against a fence:
“10TV News learned on Tuesday that at least one witness told police that Goode fell down after he was shoved against a fence outside the bar. The witness claimed that Goode stood up and threw a single punch, 10TV’s Maureen Kocot reported”
Regardless of which witness story we believe, why are we using a 60 day sentence as a frame of reference, and assuming anything longer is over punishment?
Patriot,
You are more intelligent than to believe that I was suggesting that bad parents=criminal behaviour from the child. You are also more intelligent than to ignore the statistics that show us the impoverished and neglected are ridiculously more likely to turn to criminal behaviour. You made it out of your own situation, a large percentage do not. Those of us who have chosen a lawful course can live a life where we congradulate ourselves on our acheivements and peer down our noses at those who didn’t or we can abandon our dilusions of self importance and be empathetic to humanity in all its forms.
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