Boot Camp Trail Takes On New Perspective

So Judge Overstreet has ruled that the Boot Camp gang can legally be found guilty of something other than the manslaughter charges they’ve been charged with all these months. Does this sound fair?

Child neglect?  Where’d that come from when its been a manslaughter case since day-one?

Is the State Attorneys office stacking the deck in fear of losing its original case in the face of apparent growing support for Dr. Sieberts autopsy findings?

And after successfully pushing for a $7 million settlement for the estranged immediate family - way before anyone ever went to trial and legal culpability established, is somehow Governor Crist in this new mix?

Submitted Comments: (if any)

The culpability lies in a culture that finds it acceptable to beat a minor, in an effort to force him to conform and behave. Troubled youth need strong leaders to draw them in the right direction; Not uneducated guards attempting to bully and beat them into submission.
[url=http://www.motherjones.com]http://www.motherjones.com[/url]

Comment submitted by My Blue Cube  on  09/06  at  07:39 PM

I think no money should have been awarded to the parents before it went to court. And, if any money was given it should have went to the grandmother whom this young boy neglected and whom was raising him. The parents are only in it for the funds. Thank you

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/09  at  08:14 PM

Not only should no money have been awarded, so early in the case; but the venue should have been moved as far out of the area as possible. The trial is likely to become an injust comedy skit.

Comment submitted by My Blue Cube  on  09/15  at  09:39 AM

Paul Harvey once said; ‘If you want to get a look at some of the lowest scum on earth, just go to a Fl. State Prison parking lot at shift change.’

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/16  at  06:29 PM

Hey that may be true but, not all are bad just get caught up in the niche of others. There is alot more to this story than everyone knows. Just like some get transfered into other positions until the court is over and then others are laid off completely. Nothing is fair in this whole currupt case starting with the parents then the officials Had the government and HRS stayed out of peoples homes then we might say this world would have been a little better for our children. I was brought up old school and when I did anything wrong they tore my behind up and I fill that I turned out to be a great person and I tore my childrens behinds up and they both today will tell me thank you for all I did for them. I got a 21 yr old and an 13 yr old and believe me you they are well mannered children. My 21 yr old right now will use her manners and people brag to me that I have raised some marvelous children. But, again I raised them the right way no alcohol in the home nor drugs and I raised them not their grandparents. So, as Paul Harvey says tune in for the rest of the story.

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/16  at  07:36 PM

Do (can) parents still spank; Or has that been criminalized? And if so; Why is it acceptable for state employees to assault a minor, when the parent or guardian would lose custody and face possible imprisonment for physically disciplining the same out of control child?

Comment submitted by My Blue Cube  on  09/17  at  03:24 AM

Hi know that there is a difference in spanking. I would have to say that it is not againest the law to spank your child but, the spanking that they allow versus the spankings that I got as a child is not the same spanking. And, I raised my children the same way I was raised and never would call anyone on my parents as they were great parents. We had home cooked meals three times a day, We ate at the table with no TV and we all had chores to do before and after school and my children are the same. But, who knows what that child pulled in the boot camp. You do not see everything just what is allowed to see. Hence whomever it concerns. But, then he would not have been there if raised the right way and abuised his on grandmother and probably his parents also since he stayed at his grandmothers to start with. He might have had medical problems that no one informed the boot camp of to start with. He looks like he has never had real support from from his family but, possibly his grandmother whom tryed to get him on the right track. Look at his age and think of his back ground. There is some problems that go way back. All I can say is Bless his Grandmother for trying.

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/17  at  06:21 AM

It is sad when law enforcement is hung out to dry for doing what they are paid to do. Who do you call when you need help?

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/22  at  08:31 PM

I’ve raised my own teenage sons here in Panama City Beach, one of whom was once caught up in what was by all means the wrong crowd. And I, like many other parents, desperately searched for all possible causes, influences, solutions, someone or something to blame; A Cure.
We once visited the very camp that Martin Anderson was placed in, and nearly fell for their pitch, but declined. They offered a firm hand, structure, routine, and hard work; but these tactics were already in place in our home, and yet he still managed to find trouble. I also didn’t see anything positive in their approach, nothing that would draw out the good in him, which was what I was looking for and eventually found. Boot camp is meant to beat a person down, wear them out, and break them, before beginning the task of rebuilding. Useful in the military, when creating a soldier, not in reforming a troubled kid; I’m whole-heartedly against boot camps for kids.
But that is all beside the point, the question in this trial, I believe, is ‘Are the guards and nurse culpable in Martin Andersons Death, due to their actions and/or inactions of that day. I haven’t looked in depth into the charges or the law, so I’m not going to speculate. I’m looking forward to the trial; I’ll be watching it with my son, who is now a hard working, law abiding, young adult.

Comment submitted by My Blue Cube  on  09/23  at  07:05 AM

Put “The BootCamp 8” in the pen-uh-ten-cha-ree! He,he,he,they will be taught some manners in there. They won’t have their little authority!

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/24  at  01:18 AM

Strange how we are all so quick to judge our law enforcement officers, yet criminals are always given the benefit of the doubt. We all saw the Rodney King beating, but we didn’t see the part of the video where he was being violent, all we saw were white cops beating a black man.  Frankly none of us knows what happened and a poorly shot video does not tell the whole story.  Our medical examiner was right the kid died from a blood disorder. Lets stop convicting these men before they get their day in court.

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/24  at  05:47 PM

I’m not looking at the beating portion of the tape, or the color of anyone’s skin;  I’m looking at adults in a position of authority and guardianship, and a minor who was in their charge who languished for close to thirty minutes before emergency services were called.
And let’s say indeed, that it is the blood disorder that killed Martin; He still was left to suffer and deteriorate for an unreasonable amount of time.

Comment submitted by My Blue Cube  on  09/24  at  06:44 PM

In response to ‘who do i call when i need help?‘I have been shot, cut, and stabbed, and HAVE NEVER called a cop or co-operated in prosecution of anyone. I am 52 and doing fine w/o a cop. When I do need some help, I know some boys out of the edge of Al. that will be glad to help. If I hurt real bad, Dr.Bruner will put me back together. Someone said ‘dont convict the boot camp 8 before they have had their day in court.’ Well, dont aquit them either.

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/25  at  12:26 AM

Like it or not outlaw they are innocent until proven guilty, which means that they are as of right this minute innocent.  You don’t call police, fine but some of us still respect the law.  Perhaps if people would respect the law they wouldn’t end up in places like a boot camp, or prison! Since he did have a blood disorder the only one who could have helped him was nurse. Also if the boy’s “loving” mother had told the boot camp about his disorder perhaps they would have known to look for it?

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/25  at  03:08 PM

I agree! Biological donors should not get a dime. The money should go to youth activities to prevent these young boys from getting into trouble!!!!!!

Comment submitted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/01  at  05:44 AM