The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
The four youths charged with attacking former NFL player Ed Beard will be tried as adults in separate hearings scheduled in February and March.
Jalen Riddick, James Richardson-Jackson, Tyhir Richardson and Joseph Morgan all waived a preliminary hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Thursday and will go to Circuit Court on charges of malicious assault and malicious wounding by a mob. Riddick is 17, while the ages of the three others were not immediately available. Judge Eileen Olds ruled that the youths would remain in detention.
Gang-related charges could be coming later, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Miller.
The defense agreed to waive the preliminary hearing and go directly to Circuit Court to keep open the possibility of a plea agreement, said Stephen Givando, Richardson's attorney.
The youths will be tried separately. If they were tried together, evidence against one could prejudice a jury against another, Miller said.
On Oct. 23, Beard, 71, was riding his bicycle in his neighborhood when he came upon a group of youths beating on a person on the Portlock Elementary School baseball field. Beard said when he tried to stop it, some of the youths surrounded him and began striking him. The former linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers received a concussion, a gash on the back of his head, a black eye and cuts and bruises.
After Thursday's hearing, Beard said he was pleased that the judge kept the youths detained. He also expressed regret that violent youths have become so prevalent in the once-quiet neighborhood he grew up in.
"I hope there are lessons learned from this," he said.
Circuit Court hearings were scheduled for Richardson on Feb. 10, Richardson-Jackson on Feb. 24, Morgan on March 16 and Riddick on March 23.
Jeff Hampton, 252-338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
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no reason to let them out
just remove them from our society
Think about it
Punishment for any reason other than rehabilitation is sadism.
Scared straight program?
Any Hampton Roads cities offer a program similar to "Scared Straight?" If no, it should be considered. And who would pay the bill you ask? The 'earnings' the thugs attain channeled from community services such as helping the Foodbank distribute, organize foodstuffs, lawn maintenance, and so on.
Straight up program
Just watched another episode of Scared Straight that was filmed at the hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth called the Straight Up Program.
Western Tidewater Regional Jail
In July of 2011 A&E filmed an episode of their program "Beyond Scared Straight" from the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, VA. I would assume they still have the program.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/314255/beyond-scared-straight-western-tidewater-regional-jail-va
re: Dog with Mr. Beard
with regard to the small dog in the basket on Mr. Beard's
bike, the original article in October 2011 Did relate that
his small dog was All right after the experience and had
remained in the basket the entire time of Mr. Beard's ordeal.
The focus of this article/update is on the teen thugs and
their disposition, including the reason why they're being
tried.
Attacking anyone is sad; but
Attacking anyone is sad; but when you attack the elderly you have reached a level of disgust that is unmeasurable!!!
Where to send the bill?
I say send it to Warren Buffet!
Why Try to Divide?
This is a story around which we can all unite against thuggery. Why are you trying to divide people over a political lightning rod like Warren Buffet? Putting a Stop to this type of activity is in everyone's best interest, rich, poor, liberal and conservative. Some folks on these posts will use anything that they can as an opportunity to divide people along political lines. Shame on you.
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Personal attack, name calling