Sunday, April 18, 2010

Maryland: 2 Charged In Beating Death Of Teen Neighbors Say Teen Was Bullied



POSTED: 10:40 am EDT May 31, 2009
UPDATED: 7:15 pm EDT June 1, 2009
Two teens have been charged in the weekend beating death of a 14-year-old boy, and neighbors who knew the victim said the incident may have had to do with bullying.
Anne Arundel County police said the victim, Christopher David Jones, of the 2400 block of Old Mystic Court in Crofton, was found on the ground near his bicycle at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday.
The teenager was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said a group of five to seven teens may have been involved in the beating. Only two have been charged so far.
Police said Javel George, 16, a former classmate of Jones', was charged as an adult with manslaughter, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He is currently being held without bail.
A 14-year-old boy faces the same charges, but on a juvenile citation. The 14-year-old will be placed into custody at Cheltenham Juvenile Facility by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Charging documents show George and the 14-year-old punched Jones in the head and face while he was riding his bike near his Crofton home. Jones fell to the ground and hit his head while fleeing.
Police wouldn’t say Monday if it was the punches or the fall that killed the boy. Authorities said the attack on Jones was not random, but they haven't released further information about a motive.
"It's unbelievable that you can't send your kid out at four in the afternoon and not have him beaten to death. The kids that did this are animals."
- Neighbor Philips Byrnes
Detectives said both George and the unidentified 14-year-old admitted to what happened.
Jones was a freshman at South River High School in Anne Arundel County. He had transferred to the school from Arundel High School on May 5.
County school officials wouldn't answer questions about bullying, but a law enforcement officer confirmed Monday that Jones had transferred due to bullying issues.
"This was a group of punks that targeted this small kid because they were bullies, and they beat him to death. There's no sense to it," said neighbor Philip Byrnes, whose daughter befriended Jones after he transferred schools.
Javel George
Javel George
A memorial cropped up at the sight on Monday. 11 News reporter Kate Amara said a steady stream of mourners visited the site throughout the day. Jones' parents, including his stepfather, who is part of the Prince George's County sheriff's department, said they plan to attend a vigil Monday night at 8 p.m.
Neighbors told 11 News Jones was spunky and well liked.
"It's unbelievable that you can't send your kid out at four in the afternoon and not have him beaten to death. The kids that did this are animals," Byrnes said.
Friends, classmates and neighbors of the victim said they think the attack was related to gang activity in the neighborhood. Police wouldn't comment on the issue, but a law enforcement official told 11 News there is growing problem of young teens creating community gangs.
Police said the charges against George might be enhanced or more may be added as the investigation continues.

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