Police: Man Killed Boy For Walking Across Yard

[DeclinetoState]

As good of a reason as any, I guess. Or not.


UPDATED: 7:04 am EST March 21, 2006

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<!--startindex-->BATAVIA, Ohio -- An Ohio man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn has been charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard.

A 911 tape recorded 66-year-old Charles Martin as saying, "I just killed a kid." Martin also told a dispatcher, "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up."

The child, Larry Mugrage, was Martin's neighbor.

According to police, Martin and Mugrage had a history of arguments about Martin's yard. The two argued again Sunday, police said, and when Mugrage returned, Martin was waiting outside and shot him twice.
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More at http://www.nbc4.com/news/8152056/detail.html

[BEST45CAL]

Ooooops!

[DesertFox]

I gotta nutty couple like that just down the street.

[jayson]

Hmmm. Must be a part of an HOA. You know, if it's not perfect, it's decreasing property values!

Actually kind of a funny story, though the guy probably wouldn't have gone to prison if he just went over and sabotaged their car at night instead.

[Un Con Troll Able]

I'm not excusing the crazy old coot for blasting a freckle-faced, apple pie American boy, but unless the shooter owned a corner lot then it sounds like the boy would have had to willfully cross the guy's property -- perhaps as a way of thumbing his nose at him. And I'd be curious about the history between the shooter and the boy's parents. If they were indifferent over the guy's complaints--or even encouraged their son to take his strolls through the guy's yard--well, then are probably going to have a hard time living with themselves.

[Popperite]

I gotta nutty couple like that just down the street.

I would avoid their lawn.

[Popperite]

I'm not excusing the crazy old coot for blasting a freckle-faced, apple pie American boy, but unless the shooter owned a corner lot then it sounds like the boy would have had to willfully cross the guy's property -- perhaps as a way of thumbing his nose at him. And I'd be curious about the history between the shooter and the boy's parents. If they were indifferent over the guy's complaints--or even encouraged their son to take his strolls through the guy's yard--well, then are probably going to have a hard time living with themselves.

From what I've heard (CNN) this guy was getting frantic about their stepping or mowing inches or feet across the unmarked boundary of their adjacent propperties.

[Melz]

He didn't "cross" the old ****er's yard, there had been an ongoing neighbor dispute where old dude didn't want kids near his lawn at all. The young kid here was walking on the street actually, having been told by this old man that the next time he even touches his yard, he would be shot. The man was watching, kid put ONE FOOT on the man's grass (probably to taunt him after such a ridiculous threat) and old ****er shot him twice. (This is relatively close to home so I saw this on all the local news last night, papers, etc).

The stupid old man calls 911, telling them that he shot the 15 year old neighbor. You should hear this tape, he doesn't sound nervous or remorseful or scared. Just presented that fact to the dispatcher. He thinks he did the right thing. Taking someone's life is worth it to make a point or save his lawn from foot damage?

What a moron, I hope he gets the maximum penalty. I mean he did threaten the kid just an hour earlier with death. Seems a tad premeditated to me.

[Wolfcounsel]

The kid was not doing anything malicious, or had any intent to cause harm. This type of anal-retentive, meticuous asshole deserves to be taken out of action. He will do it again if he is released. I don't need to read about, well, duh, why is the kid antagonizing the scumbag. I stand by my decision. My daughter-in-law lived a few houses from one of those slugs, except this clown is in his 40's and he lives with his mommy. He shouts at kids that are 50 feet from his yard, not to even get closer.

[DeclinetoState]

Thanks in part to some recent Supreme Court decisions, the government can do a lot more damage to your property virtually with impunity than a snot-nosed kid could ever think of.

Maybe the old coot will pull a Debra Lafave and claim he's bipolar.

[BEST45CAL]

If someone is crazy enough to tell you to your face that they're going to kill you, you shouldn't tempt them. You should arm yourself and be prepared to defend your life.

[DesertFox]

And stay the hell out of his yard.

[Apollo5600]

I had one of those for a neighbor. Live in an Apartment, guy moved in next door, and if he could hear the tv just a little bit through the wall he would freak out, come over and talk down to me. Even called the cops once. Claims the tv is "blaring", but I can't even hear it in my own Bathroom!!!

Anyway, he moved, claimed he moved because of the noise.