Mary Mitchell

Ms. Mitchell,

Whenever anyone gets assaulted, beaten or has any sort of crime committed against them, it is senseless, whether it be black on black, black on white, white on black, white on white, or any other race or religion being involved. You state in your article that the kids in the Rusch case shouldn't be charged with attempted murder, why because they are black? You also state that the case closely related to this case is the Clark case, so it is o.k. that Caruso was charged with attempted murder, why because he is white? Fact, Ryan Rusch was beaten to near death by 3 teens, put aside the fact that they are black...he was beaten to near death! They could have just taken his cell phone, did they have to beat him to near death? NO! This should outrage anyone with a heart, HE IS A CHILD! Black people have to stop playing the race card, it hurts more than it helps. You are a voice of the black people Ms. Mitchell, maybe you can shed some light on the race issue to the people? Please help!

Mary,
It's been a while since the Caruso crime. Was there anything premeditated about it? It doesn't seem so. An underplayed element in the recent crime is that these boys went looking for a victim. They traveled miles to hunt down Ryan. The cell phone taken from his pocket was not a lure. Perhaps, it was a bow to political pressure to charge Caruso with attempted murder. I don't fault the State's Attorney too much for that bow. Certainly, this crime should not be prosecuted more lightly just because the victim is not African American.
Oh, by the way, a father could hold a sword in one hand and scales in the other.

Mary,

As in the case of Frank Caruso, a jury will decide whether the evidence in this case is sufficient enough to convict these 3 youths of attempted murder. Chances are, they too will be acquitted of that charge. Did you think the charge against Caruso was warranted? If Ryan Rusch would have had permanent brain damage as a result of this brutal, senseless attack, would you then feel that the charges were justified?

Actually, kicking someone in the head is attempted murder. Its not simply a punch in the nose. That is an easy one. Kicking a head is clear intent to kill. The standard is how the victim feels: this kid felt they were trying to kill him. And the results. The criminals chose a kid with a heart condition: you take your plaintiff as you find them.

kick my head, and I will presume you are trying to kill me, and I will defend myself accordingly.

As long as black leaders remain dismissive of horrible brutalities like this, I doubt race relations will improve anytime soon.

his is called intellectual dishonesty.
And, they keep apologizing for these kids. Sorry, cant blame rich white people in lincoln park for this one.

I cant imagine what my parents would have done to me had I committed such an act, but, apparently its cultural.

This little boy could have died from this brutal and senseless beating. I am outraged as if this was my son. I don't feel sorry for these young thugs who's parents should have taught them some morals and values. I agree that the youths that beat Lenard Clark should have had a more harsh sentence, but that does not excuse the teens that attacked this little boy. What happens when the next little boy in the park that comes along with a cell phone is beat to death? I believe a message needs to be sent. Parents raise your kids right. Teenagers you will be punished to the fullest extent of the Law if you commit a violent act against a defensless little kid. I don't care what race or nieghborhood, you will go to jail. Cassius M. Williams

So, a question - what about the ongoing racial violence IN the jails?

I'd strongly recommend people check out www.spr.org / aka stopprisonrape.org

Really, how do prosecutors justify charging these teens with aggravated battery, robbery and attempted murder in a case where the teens beat up the victim and stole his cell phone?

EAsily. They kicked at his head. come on mary, how about a little less intellectual dishonesty. Again, three criminals kicked at his head. Thats not a punch in the nose or arm. "beat him up to take his cell phone?" no, they kicked at his head, intending to hurt his brain so he would die.

you seem to justify it based on Burge, and some other thugs from a 95 beating case. AS if whites deserve this?

Re-read steinbergs column. You could learn a lot from him.

Sure, Lady Justice may be blind. But she ain't stupid.

Caruso getting off so easy was wrong - I agree. I disagree, however, that Michael Eatman shouldn't get an attempted murder charge. Frankly, I think he should be put to death.

I am not a fan of most kids raised in the City. The latchkey environment, passive parenting and largely irresponsible nature in which they are raised is laughable. These parents produce rude, self-important, materialistic, arrogant and often just plain ignorant kids. The traits I just listed are easily ascribed to many teens and looked at as a "phase," but we all know thats not the case here.

Still, there are also a great many talented and intelligent kids, going to the service, college and into the workforce.

But Michael Eatman falls into a category just below human. He and the other violent, reckless idiots like him are simply animals.

These animals, raised in Chicago's streets, are a danger to us all. They are why there is a new "black flight" (not unlike, of course, white flight) - a new wrinkle in the age old notion that it is acceptable, maybe even good, that upwardly mobile blacks abandon traditionally African-American communities. If there was any chance of quelling that trend, to be sure, these beasts, who would be a child because, as they state, they believe him to be a "goofy white boy," well, that chance is good.

I have changed my mind over time, from believing that those with talents to offer to the community should be willing to give of themselves, and decided it is best to distance my family from these animals. My child will grow up in an environment surrounded by a family and community of academics. With any blessings from God, he will turn out to be a bit of what kids call a nerd: smart, well-read, intellectually curious and talented. And I don't need one of Michael Eatman's little "homies" attacking him for it.

The people in West Beverly are wrong when they make this about race (though their myopia is understandable, given their community's make-up and the language used by Eatman). Its a safety issue for us all. I have a friend who refuses to do any business or engage in any activity west of Ashland or further north than 95th Street until you get to the downtown area. I used to think that was silly. Maybe its just a way to stay safe.

I am writing this letter feeling deeply concerned taht you can commit a crime in the U.S., found guilty, and be excused because the victims plea weren't taken seriously. I witnessed Mr. Borge getting off without any prosecution due to the statue of limitations. If our gov't abides by this very same statue of limitations, how is this same gov't going after people who have committed war crimes against humanity. Just last year or two someone who stayed in the suburbs of Chicago was found to be a high ranking officer with the Nazi's, watching over the concetration camps in Germany(holocaust). Also, it took ten to twenty years to finally find someone involved with bombing the church in Alabama killing those young black girls attending Sunday school. If our gov't is still solving crimes against humanity or say crimes against Americans, this should fit the category.

You forgot that the young man who was beat by his own prosthesis,before the young men were caught alot of people assumed it was minorities who commited the crime, it was front page fodder ,that is until it was disclosed that the thugs who did it were white thugs, then suddenly you dont hear anything else about it.Violence against anyone is unacceptable not just when it fits the media stereotype that certain races commit more crimes then others .Criminality is a individual choice the ,choice is yours you just better be ready to pay the price no matter what color you are.

Wasn't Frank Caruso Outfit-connected?

Not many folks of any color have the luxury of *those* kind of connections...

you cant compare the beating of the boy with the prosthesis with the beating in Beverly because the boy with the prosthesis wasn't beat, his friend was, and was not seriously injured. if you read further into that story you will realize that those boys reached inside the guys car trying to take his keys away. Not the justification for a beating, but not smart either.

It appears that we people (and I mean WE THE PEOPLE! as in...Americans)just don't seem to get it. I believe Ms Mitchell's point was missed by many. She is not attempted to lighten the case for this young boy's situation. She is not saying that the attackers should not be punished for their cruel crime. Any such crime against another human being should be meted with equal justice. The case here is that, when blacks are the victims and whites are the cause of the crime, it's usually treated as a lesser crime. But when whites are victims to such cruel treatment by blacks...it becomes an inhuman thing to the public's eye. I pray that the Rusch child will heal, become healthy again. I, also pray that the attackers are punished. But, I pray most that people of this nation, be they white, black, etc. will come to realize that crime is crime, regardless of the race of the victim or the perpetrators. Justice should be blind to race and it should be fair. A white person should not serve 3years for a crime and a black person be given and be forced to serve 6-30years for the same conviction. I feel for the victim and his family and I FEAR for the people of this nation. We seem to be divided in everything, except the thought of our precious, sick city being labeled as "fat".

George Jarrett

In response to fair and equal sentencing for all...I totally agree, but, please remember that sentencing is also based on previous criminal convictions, whether if that person is black or white.

If the races were reversed Mary would have no problem with the attempted murder charges.

Mary I'm total agreement with you. We the only nation that supposed to be so about "human right" that have a justice for black on white crime and different justice for white on black crime. than we alway wondering why the people in arab nation look on u.s. as hypocrit when they over there telling them how to live and treat there people with injustices that done here with our two classed society. When is african-american going to realize lynching haven't went anywhere; they just have another way of doing it legally and getting away with it. when justice is meted out by the color, where you live and rather you can afford to hire your own attorney other than public defenders to defend your case. so those teens going be rail roaded; but they should be tried as a hate crime than get off like the perpetrator in the clark case with an slap on the wrist.

Mary,

I lost you. I am interpreting your article to mean that the attempted murder charges against Caruso were justified because Clark was beaten so badly that he developed brain damage; It wasn't a robbery, it was purely a beating, so that is more deserving of the attempted murder charge?
With the Beverly Park incident how do you know that the cell phone wasn't just an added "benefit" to those who beat Rusch? From what I understand the Rusch child was on the ground trying to protect himself from kicks to the head. Seems a little excessive from 3 youths trying to just take a cell phone and rob someone. My guess is that Ryan would have gladly emptied his pockets AND given up the cell phone to avoid getting a beating...but I don't suppose he was given the choice. But for the grace of God, Mr. Rusch won't suffer brain damage. The circumstances seem much too similar to me to be able to see the difference. Tell me again why attempted murder charges should have been filed in one situation and not the other. Seems pretty hypocritical to me.

Isn't it interesting that Caruso was tried in the Clark case with attempted murder AND a hate crime? Now the States Attorney says that there's no need to try the black thugs in the Rusch beating with a hate crime because it wouldn't add to the penalty.

This is another example of how there is one code of laws for blacks and another for whites. No matter how racist the act, a black will almost never be tried with a hate crime.

Mary
I kind of wonder how the tone of your article might have changed if the victims were all of one race, white or black?

All Mary is saying is both situations should have the same charges. It is as simple as that. Period, end of story. Both crimes are senseless, and no one should walk away from that. Beating someone is not by accident. It is a crime of anger. You should be in jail for years for that.

Ms. Mitchell, Are you serious? This innocent boy was beaten into unconsciousness and needed to be placed in a coma to stop his brain from swelling, and you don't think this is attempted murder? The fact that someone witnessed the beating is probably the only reason that these vicious teens stopped the merciless beating and will not be facing murder charges rather than attempted murder. In your opinion, what constitutes attempted murder? Maybe if Ryan Rusch were hospitalized for a longer perioid of time, or had permanent brain damage, that would do it for you. I too, believe that the teens in the Lenard Clark case should have been charged with attempted murder. And if I had served on that jury, I would have done everything in my power to see that they were convicted of such.
If you are seriously suggesting that the teens who beat Ryan Rusch were simply after his cell phone, you are insulting your readers' intelligence. The fact that he was overpowered by size and number, they simply had to demand the phone and I'm sure that would have been the end of it. But they proceeded to kick him in the head, strike his head with a blunt object and repeatedly lift and bang his head off of the concrete. All this because he was a "goofy looking white boy". If I live to be one hundred, I'll never understand what would possess a human being to inflict such bodily harm o another human being, especially an innocent kid. But just as I believed Lenard Clark's attackers should have been sentenced for attempted murder, I firmly believe that Ryan Rusch's attackers should serve the maximum amount of time for this heinous crime. This is not the first offense for two of the three teens either. When is it going to stop, when they actuall do kill someone?

Ms. Mitchell, if these teens are found guilty of attempted murder and justice prevails, I will feel safer knowing that they are behind bars, and hopefully trying to rehabilitate themselves. However, if our justice system fails us as in the Lenard Clark case, I hope you or your loved ones never happen upon the depraved teens while strolling through the park on a sunny afternoon. Bridget O'Donnell

Mary,
I read your column about the Rush crime not being attempted murder. Last night I read the most detailed story of the crime that appeared in the Beverly Review. "The two juveniles then took turns kicking the victim in the head and body."

"They repeatedly punched, kicked, and stomped the victim."

The injuries the victim sustained suggested that his head was lifted and hit into the ground by one of the teens.

The injuries caused Rusch to experience seizures, swelling of the brain, abrasions to the body and brain trauma."

Kicking in the head, lifting his head and smashing it into the ground. Sounds like they were trying to kill him.

Very good column.

"The same forces that drove everyone involved to ignore evidence about the documented tortures revealed in the Burge report are the same forces that still conspire to pervert justice. I'm not talking about individuals. I'm talking about the attitude that political expediency trumps the moral obligation to seek justice that is impartial and fair."

In the Suntimes today, Dick Divine, County prosecutor stated that his office is more interested in justice than how many cases they try and win.

I sincerly hope that State's Attorney Divine take a look at this case and see on the face that the crime does not fit attempted murder.

However, in situations like these we have to remember that this corrupted world is led by people with more political motivation that humanitarian. As such, we have to rely on GOD for "divine justice" when the justice system ignores humanity and put politics at the forefront.

No one can escape GOD's wrath or escape "divine justice"

In my opinion, the problem here is that the boy's weren't initially charged with attempted murder from the beginning. Race should have been brought up only after the fact. I believe the situation may be looked at differently from all the individuals that are so interested. Unfortunately, race comes into any act against another color or nationality. People can't even read the facts before throwing up the race card!

Let's face it, the boy's were out to cause trouble in the first place, either by stealing a bike or as it turns out, beating the crap out of someone. Apparently they chose the later. At that, someone much smaller than any one of the three. If they really just wanted a cell phone, why couldn't they do that in their own neighborhoods? There are a hell of allot of cell phones in any neighborhood, black or white! Race comes into play for the obvious reason of traveling several miles to a white neighborhood instead of committing the crime in any one of the three boy's neighborhoods. Let's face it, stealing a cell phone wasn't their only intention. And, if it WAS the only thing they wanted, did it justify the beating to get it? Do you really think little boy was going to take on all three before giving up the phone? Jeeze... good God! Or does it get worse... Maybe... just maybe, the three boys feared for their very own lives and had to beat the innocent boy in effort to spare their own lives!! Come on! Wake up. Your implying just another example on how we treat criminals like the victims.

It's another senseless act by senseless individuals. All the time and effort we spend thinking about whether it was race related, or better yet, making it race related. But yet we can't spend anytime figuring out why it happened in the first place. Is this their normal way of life? Is that what their friends do? Is that what they're relatives do? Did they see that the night before on a TV show? Worse yet, is that what they're parents do?? In other words, did these boys follow by example and if so, if they are merely followers, what will be done with the leaders?

I understand your feelings on the issue Mary. You are right that the scales of justice are tipped in favor on politically connected whites and that people of color do not stand a chance. We need to start teaching our children of color this reality.

How do we fix this mess? People in your position need to start holding corrupt cops responsible for their actions; call them out by name if necessary. That is the only way: shame them into righteousness.

I was commenting to my wife the other day that I'd rather my daughter marry a gang-banger than a cop. I could at least send a gang-banger to school and clean him up. There is less hope for cops nowadays. It's a sad commentary, I know. But it's also today's reality in Chicago.

i find you a very talented writer because you make people think. as for your article on the Beverley beating of Ryan Rausch you've made me think that you have lost your *#*&#!! mind! I invite you to lie down on the ground defenseless and have three predators take turns kicking you in the head. (then just for fun we'll throw in a heart defect ). then you can tell me, or more importantly Ryan and his family if you think attempted murder charges are warranted! I don't try to throw race into every issue , but it seems to me that it is your bias agenda to excuse , or confuse every issue . You make this more complicated than it needs to be . It is not a question of race. It is a question of right or wrong. the closest thing to justice in today's world will have to be a LONG prison sentence. unfortunately ,i guess that will have to suffice .

I feel that the only reason why the Ryan Rusch story made so much press was because this is a sickly boy, who was attacked and beaten and had his cell phone stolen. Just like the story about the boy with the prosthetic leg made news. Anyhow, if he wasn't sickly, missing a heart valve, would he have been injured as badly? Probably not. Should the offenders be charged with attempted murder? No, because they didn't try to kill the boy. Last I heard, people who commit crimes don't ask for a medical history of their victims. Charge them with battery, robbery, aggravated assault, whatever charges fit the bill of the actions of these boys, but attempted murder is just political maneuvering to placate the people who are upset that the offenders aren't charged with a hate crime..

I do have another thought on this: maybe he wouldn't have been a target had he been a bigger, healthier kid. The boy was 5'1". I am by no means saying that what happened to Ryan was his fault. Just that these are factors into why he was attacked. I truly don't think these boys would have attacked someone 6'1" 250lbs on the football team! If Ryan had been attacked by white youths, we'd have still seen it on the tv and in the papers.

But it was black youths who beat him up and stole his phone. Which throws in the race card. I don't think this WAS a hate crime, it seems to me that the boy was targeted because he was an easy mark. Not because he was white, but because these boys figured they could rob this little skinny boy easily and get away with it. If Ryan was a skinny black kid, they'd have still attacked him, if Ryan was a skinny Asian kid, they'd have still attacked him.

You are a perfect example why the black community is by and large still a failure in this country while other ethnic groups thrive. You need that crutch of rasim to explain why so many black youth wind up in jail, it's whitey's fault! No, you are stuck in the plantation because of your race's own decisions. 1) 90% of blacks vote democratic meaning no other option. Your schools are the worst, your neighborhoods are the worst crime ridden and decaying and you still vote for the same people, now tell me how is that the Republicans fault. 2) Welfare you sold your souls for public aid and public housing. It lost a generation and the black male was less likely to hang around with an income of welfare coming in, black leadership sold its soul to FDR, LBJ for great society generation destroying programs. When there is no reason to work, why work? 3) Hip Hop- The degradation of women and glorification of drug dealing and gang banging, and the bling bling mentality. Are working on destroying a new generation of young blacks. We all had jobs at Mcdonalds and other fast food places in HS, now these kids want to deal drugs and knuckleheads like you validate that excuse. So I ask you, an intelligent lady of African American descent...who is to blame for the current problems in the black community? Thanks and have a nice day.

Wow Mr. Jimmy Ives. You've just managed to set race relations back to the stone ages. What worries me is that your unenlightened views are probably shared by too many people. I wonder if you put any kind of real effort in your analysis or if you just repeat what right-wing pundits spew all over Fox News or CNN. You should really go back and analyze the racist policies that plague this country's history. Ask yourself why Chicago Public Schools in poor minority neighborhoods are a mess when just a few miles away, white kids in the suburbs are getting a first rate education. If you do not see that there is a plan in place, and that both Democrats and Republicans are complicit, then we really do not stand a chance. Because it is the powers that be that depend on people like you to perpetuate the gross stereotypes you were so kind enough to share with us.

Mary,

Open your eyes you are too ignorant to even accept the fact that this is a hate crime and attempted murder. Just because some crime that happened almost 10 years ago wasn't charged the way you saw fit doesn't mean these boys that committed the crime should walk off free. Stop blaming white people for black problems. You wonder why 90% of prisons in the U.S are full of blacks is because they have committed those crimes. I'm positive the same sentence would have been dealt if they were white boys as well. I bet you will not show this post because you are not ignorant and won't accept the true of somethings. Very sad Mary on your part!!!

How are white neighborhoods the reason black schools are failing? 50 years of worshipping liberalism has left the African American community in schambels. You say stereo types ,I say the truth letslook at reality, locally elected officals have the most say on how education funds are spent and what kids are taught! Rev Meeks is the first elected Af Am offical who is calling it what it is! The teachers unions run ruffshod over kids. I see one race that has CHOSEN one party to speak for it, now how is the other party responsible? African american communities has been told how these liberal ideas will save their families have destroyed them from the 6