|
|
|
Love that phrase "plenty of other chains dragging him down into madness". Gold, pure gold! |
|
Yes, the other perp in this matter is Bill O'Reilly. Too bad he couldnt be sentenced too. |
|
Bill-O's puckish white whale is Keith Olbermann and folks who dog Bill about statements like the one he made about the restaurant in Harlem. While the latter was probably a little unfair, the truth is he'll say something clumsy, evil, or wrong again, get called on it again, and probably go on one of the most high-profile killing sprees in history. |
|
What does Bill O'Reilly have to do with some psycho-pedophile whose crimes warrant DEATH, not a tax-subsidized life estate? |
|
I know I'll probably regret this . . . but what is the Phoenix Strike whatever? and what, exactly, does it have to do with Devlin? |
|
Babba, I embedded a link in O'Reilly's name. You should have followed it and read at least one blog post before making your comment. |
|
When I first read the news that Devlin was pleading guilty to "spare the boys", I almost lost it. He's sparing himself!!! And maybe he has enough humanity left to want to spare his folks the circus of sickness. |
|
If he cared anything about those kids or any other kids he never would have violated and terrorized them in the first place. I hope they throw away the key and forget to serve him meals. He's a disgusting pig and there is no way he could ever redeem himself in my mind. |
|
Devlin's plea is totally self-serving. He knew he'd get death, and he took the chickenshiite way out. Just like they all do. He had no problem trying to kill Shawn Hornbeck (and I'm convinced there are others out there, that he probably did kill) but he's afraid of paying the Piper, and dying himself. |
|
I'm relieved that Shawn Hornbeck will not have to testify in court. |
|
To be fair to Bill O. (don't lynch me please)he said what many people were thinking when hearing about this incomprehensible situation, as abhorrent as it is and was to me at the time. |
|
oh. my. god. |
|
oh my god . . . how awful. I still wonder if there were other victims. Thanks for posting the link, Chris. |
|
That story just about convinces me there were previous victims. I suspect we'll be hearing more about that. I'd be surprised if we didn't. |
|
Personally, I have felt from the very beginning that there might be a connection to the Jacob Wetterling disappearance, as well as to some others mentioned in the task force inquiry some time ago. |
|
I read the CNN story, and my first thought was, "Shawn is one brave kid." |
|
I knew about Shawn. Back in the day, we (as in a lot of us that comment here and other places) wondered if Joseph Duncan had something to do with his disapearance. |
|
Melissa, I was quoting "babba" above with the italic comment! That women are responsible for 25% of this type of crime...that's only the cases that are *reported*. It's a sad fact that a lot of men don't report domestic violence done to them or keep quiet after they are raped, because they're afraid of the social repercussions of their admission to being a victim. |
|
From all accounts Ben is doing well. His friends are understanding. |
|
Being a mother of 2 sons over 21, I'm so very proud of Ben and Shawn and their families as I always drew the line at RAPE, ROB and MURDER. |
|
He will be protected, they house the pervs together. |
|
Melissa, your co-worker proves that the world is teeming with stupid assholes. At 11, Shawn was smarter than that twit. |
|
PUT HIM TO DEATH! |
|
I dont work with him, if I did I would have reported him to our ethics committee. |
|
Like so many others, when I read the CNN article today, I wanted to throw up, was so irate that anyone can even think like O'Reilly did, and wondered, too, about the other victims who weren't able to make such a "deal." My heart breaks. I'm glad that these two boys did survive and that Devlin is done - don't care if he lives, dies or other as long as he can no longer hurt anyone else's child. |
|
I'd imagine Shawn knows if there were other victims before him. As well as any between his abduction and Ben's. |
|
They may seperate these low lifes but I am sure he will get whats coming to him from his own kind. |
|
BTW, Steve. It is so good to read your work again. I like the other contributors, and enjoy thier posts, but there's no one like Huff. I have gotten to where I don't have to read who authored the work to know it was you. The first sentence or two offers a clear distinction. |
|
NewCreature, leave Shawn alone. Dont imagine anything. Speculating on this kid is only going to do him harm. |
|
Shawn should receive some sort of national medal of honor for bravery. He was 11 year old when this happened. I know a lot of grown men who would NOT have survived. I hope he and Ben are able to recover, and write a book someday. The shame part of this fascinates me. The only shame I can see, is from ignorant people who have NOT been victimized. Of course, I am saying that from someone who has NOT been victimized. I apologize to anyone who has been victimized and feels shame as a result of an act that THEY DID NOT CREATE. The fact of the matter is, they are VICTIMS. There is no shame in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The human psyche has unchartered depth that conceals complex emotions and attitudes that the human race captures glimpses of on only rare occasions. Most people can't understand why Shawn did not run when he finally had a chance. Most people were not 11 years old when they were abducted at gunpoint and raped, repeatedly, prior to being strangled and having to plead for their lives. Most people are lucky....and blissfully ignorant of the resources that the human psyche has available for survival. I pray Shawn and Ben can both rise above the evil that consumed them, and march forward into history with their heads held high. They did nothing wrong, and everything right. |
|
Reannan, what you are saying is so important. And I also agree with Melissa that nobody should be speculating about what Shawn did or did not know. |
|
Oh yeah, they protect them very well. Anyone remember a guy named Jeffery Dahmer or a priest named John Geoghan? |
|
The police are claiming that there are no other victims of Devlin, but I suspect they mean kidnapping and/or murder--or at least he's been cleared of the he's been suspected of since his arrest. Personally, I seriously doubt this man went 30+ years without raping a child before he kidnapped Shawn. Whether anyone will (or can) come forward at this date and identify themselves as a victim is a moot point, I guess. |
|
O'Reilly' comments that Shawn may have enjoyed his stay with Devlin is pretty damn horrific. I'm shocked, frankly. Had not heard these comments back in January when they were made. Disgusting. And O'Reilly should dewfinately apologize. |
|
Looked at the St. Louis newspaper online and read Craig Akers' victim impact statement. It refers to broken bones and ribs Shawn got from Devlin that were never treated and had to heal on their own. So sad. |
|
By entering into this bargain with the Devil, I think Shawn not only saved his own life, but I believe he saved other boys as well. Devlin went looking for Ben because Shawn was no longer a small child and had lost his appeal. |
|
Holly, |
|
Michelle, |
|
What do we know about this Devlin creep? Tell me about his mom and dad and his past. From what cesspool of unholy miasma did this spawn spring? I believe Devlin should be executed, of course, but as long as he's going to lounge about at taxpayer expense, eating, drinking, reading, dreaming, watching t.v. and penning his memoirs,we might as well look into what factors created this SOB... |
|
He says his family didnt know. We have no reason not to believe him or his brother who spoke out when this first happened. |
|
Melissa, RE: |
|
I didnt jump anything, nor did I say you said anything inflamitory, I just said they should leave Shawn alone. |
|
And btw, from all we have just learned he didnt have to say I killed this kid I can certainly kill you. |
|
I hope some things will be be expained, and I don't mean the details of the boys assaults. |
|
Melissa- No sweetie, you said "New Creature, leave Shawn alone". I'm New Creature! You told me to leave Shawn alone. |
|
Get over yourself creature. |
|
Melissa: |
|
"I insist, however that we scrutinize this family and Devlin's upbringing for any clues as to what may have created this perverse beast" |
|
Was Devlin an adoptee Michelle? |
|
The story keeps getting worse: |
|
Anon, if memory serves me correctly, after Shawn was found I believe it was released that Devlin is adopted. |
|
More and more info keeps slithering out about what this "gnetle giant" (to quote some friends who clearly had no clue as to Devlin's true nature) did to Shawn and Ben. Apparently he beat Shawn so badly it resutled in broken ribs and other bones, which were left to heal untreated. Which probably explains why he could leave to go get surgery not long after the kidnapping without worrying about Shawn escaping--the boy was hobbled. |
|
4 boys were adopted(Devlin being one of them), and 2 girls were biological children. I dont know at what AGE he was adopted though. That could very well be an issue. |
|
Melissa, I agree. Most parents don't want to think of their kids as evil; most parents don't even know what their child is DOING half the time, and certainly not their adult children. I mean, it took my parents getting ripped off by my brother SEVERAL times before they got the message thru their heads not to have any financial dealings with him; they still refuse to believe what a lying con-artist he is, just that he's had a run of "bad luck". |
|
Melissa, I'm not stating my opinion on the theory proposed by Dr. Kirschner. Only that he has one. Alan Derschiwitz counters that the theory is an abuse excuse. |
|
Oh, I wasnt speculating on your theory. I posted that before I even looked up his theory actually. I was just verifying that Devlin was indeed adopted, and I totally agree with you that he is responsible for his actions. |
|
I would like to know if there was some incident in adolescence with Devlin that might have been on a juvenile record somewhere. Or a diagnosis of some type of personality/behavior issue. I have a hard time believing this behavior did not exist before his 30s. Was he molested as a child (not necessarily by anyone in the family) and his adoptive parents effectively sweep it under the rug, thinking that by not discussing it/dealing with it, it would simply "go away" or "not exist"? Even if his family had no clue as to his being a pedophile rapist, I'm sure they were aware that there was something "not right" about their son. After all, we're talking about a grown man who essentially refused to advance socially on any level--20 years basically working at the same pizza place with no appreciable interest in advancement? Still playing videogames and Magic: The Gathering at 40+, with no history of dating, whether women or men? He was definitely odd, judging from accounts from fellow workers and past associates, so I suspect his family must have had their own private concerns about him as well, if only of the "When is he ever going to grow up?" variety. |
|
Chris, I agree that an adult child could get away with just about anything without their parents finding out. He could have created girlfriends and adventures/interests to satisfy his parents. He was also a manager of the pizza place, not so bad for a 40 year old, especially if he has no further education, and if he's a little reclusive, single - lots of those out there - doesn't make you a perv or a criminal, just low expectations/aspirations. If he had always been quiet and withdrawn, his family might not suspect a thing. They might not even know he hadn't progressed past childhood interests. |
|
What exactly would Bill O'Reilly do if someone made him beg for his life? |
|
Well, maybe we are asking about the wrong set of parents. Wish we could scrutinize Devlin's biological parents who may hold important clues as to what makes a monster a monster. I do not blame a criminal's parents; I study them because I am a huge believer in the selfish gene and nature over nurture. |
|
Case in point; look at Pa. teen charged with planning a Colombine-like plot whose Mommy has been helping him stockpile weapons. Don't tell me bad parents don't have anything to do with the creation of criminals. |
|
Anon, what the hell does that have to do with this case? Yes there are a lot of bad parenting things that go on. But in the end its the perp that is to blame. |
|
Get a grip melissa and please dont rsvp |
|
Chris- Previous info regarding Devlin's story on Shawn to his (Devlin's) family was that he (Shawn) was the son of a friend. |
|
Bite me Kevin. And Creature Feature, perhaps providing a link would help. |
|
I'm waiting for the day Bill O’Reilly apologize. |
|
Please allow me to clarify my post stating that Devlin told others Shawn was the "son of a friend". This was simply what he told people who were his aquaintances (before he was found out and arrested). For example: someone might have asked, "Is this your son?" To which he would have replied, "No, this is my friend "Mike's" Son who is staying with me for awhile". Of course, the previous is a hypothetical quote simply used to elaborate my initial statement. And unfortunately, I cannot provide a link as Steve hasn't yet moved all his entries to this site. Previous reports stated that Devlin told those he worked with (if I remember correctly) that Shawn was the son of a friend, as Shawn was reportedly seen on rare occasion at the pizza place or around the apartment complex, etc. For those who have followed this story since Devlin was found to have both Shawn and Ben, this may ring a bell of familiarity. Again, this post was in answer to Chris's question of how he might have explained Shawn to family. |
|
Creature. Devlin's FAMILY knew nothing of Shawn. NOTHING. |
|
After hearing O'Reilly's Radio Show comment (January 2007) that "Hornbeck got a better deal with Devlin" (than with his family), I wrote to O'Reilly that he had could not have said anything more profoundly ignorant. Bill read a portion of my remarks on air and then proceeded to call me something like a "Kool-Aid drinking moron". |
|
I have no doubt that Devlin's family didn't know squat about Shawn so exactly what is your point? |
|
KEVIN missed the point. It was referring to SHAWN'S family NOT Devlin's. Try reading it again. O'Reilly said on his radio show that Shawn had a "better deal" with Devlin than his own family... he (Shawn)didn't want to go to school, he could just play video games all day, etc. O'Reilly actually said this. Is that clearer? |
|
If O'Reilly were not absolutely shameless, he would have to publicly apologize and permanently end his career. If FoxNews were not absolutely shameless, they would fire him. If your crime is the gratuitous public defamation of a victimized child, shouldn't your penance be public as well? But Bill O'Reilly is never sorry for anything and just wants any viewers who may have noticed to forget about it. What a bastard. |
|
John, I think Kevin was refering to a previous post from Melissa....right before yours. |
|
facsed - I agree, he was probably referring to a post of mine. But still makes no sense. As I was rebutting creature. |
|
My mistake... I didn't look carefully enough at the chronology. Does anyone know if O'Reilly took ANY heat from his superiors about this? |
|
I am unaware of any "heat." O'Reilly's superiors tolerated his comments. Even since the confession, he has not apologized. |
|
Heuser as a woman who showed little remorse throughout the interview process. |
|
As a graduate clinician dealing with ex victims of torture and abuse, the actions Shawn took are quite understandable. On a scale of 1 to 10 his abuse level would be 9. Tied for weeks, bashed, sexually abused, nearly strangled, bones broken, deep tissues bruised. This is as severe as it gets, yet he survived. He is also recovering fairly well. His frontal lobes would have shut down due to accumulation of white cells in the brain tissues, he would have entered a fugue state of severe shock. He would have become de-personalized to a great extent. Signs are that he will recover well, but have flashbacks and need ongoing support and therapy. On his side, he has the support of a loving family, and community. He is also handsome and personable, so will be successful in life if he can avoid a few pitfalls. I've treated many boys and men who were severely abused as boys. One thing which leads to successful treatment is enabling them to open up and talk or write about what happened to them, even if it is kept very private. It helps give closure to what has happened. I'm glad to hear he is being treated by very competent therapists. |
Commenting by HaloScan |
