Four juveniles may be tried as adults for murder following the death of Juneau resident Kevin Thornton, 19, in an Arkansas hospital following a brutal and, witnesses say, unprovoked beating on July 20.
The Malvern (Ark.) Daily Record newspaper reported the four suspects — one 17-year–old, two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old — passed Thornton and another man walking near a Baptist church in the Arkansas town about 45 miles southwest of Little Rock and decided to turn the truck around and beat them.
Thornton’s companion got away, but Thornton was attacked and hit his head on a rock when he fell, according to investigator Phillip Calhoun, who testified in a Hot Spring County court July 27.
Calhoun said the four had been drinking when they drove down Traskwood Road near the Glen Rose Baptist Church and happened upon the men.
One of the youths struck Thornton’s 20-year-old companion, but that victim was able to deflect the blow and escape. Thornton was then attacked by a 17- and a 16-year–old.
Calhoun said Thornton fell and hit his head on the rock, then three of the youths started beating and kicking him while he was unconscious.
The fourth youth urged the three to leave the area, and the four then dragged Thornton into a ditch before leaving, Calhoun testified.
A passerby found Thornton, picked him up and carried him to the nearby church, believing he might be part of the congregation, and authorities were called.
Thornton was medevaced to a hospital in Little Rock and was put into a drug-induced coma.
He had damage to his head, back and side. He died Wednesday afternoon.
Calhoun was quoted in the newspaper as saying that many at the church, including the pastor, helped identify the suspects.
Two of the youths also allegedly bragged about the incident to their friends.
“The pastor of the church knew them all by name,” Calhoun was quoted as saying. “He saw them drive by earlier in the night, and two juveniles identified them as being in the truck.”
Calhoun said he didn’t know why the attack happened.
“I wish I knew,” he said. “Almost all of them said that it was random.”
Judge Phillip Shirron said Wednesday in court if the victim died, the four could be facing murder charges.
Due to the hour differences between Arkansas and Alaska, the Empire could not confirm that charges were indeed filed on Thursday.
The suspects were held in juvenile detention facilities following the Wednesday detention hearing.
Thornton graduated from Thunder Mountain High School in 2010, said Graham Storey, who taught Thornton at TMHS.
Empire archives reveal Thornton also attended Juneau-Douglas High School for two years, and that he was an honor student at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School.
“He was just a really nice kid to have in class,” Storey said. “Never one of those kids to get in trouble with the teachers.”
Comments (19)
Add commentThoughts and prayers to his
Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. God rest his soul.
Rest In Peace
Kevin was such a wonderful young man with a wonderful future ahead of him. His smile was contagious. This makes me so mad, his life was just beginning. My love, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Kevin, you are already missed by many. God has a very special angel, watch over your friends and we'll help watch over your friends and family.
Until we meet again!
Kevin was a one of the
Kevin was a one of the sweetest, most gentle guys I've ever met. His death was extremely unexpected and many people, as well as myself, are grieving the loss of such a great friend. The world is a lesser place because such a great guy, Kevin, was taken so soon. I hope these four boys are able to understand just how many lives they've permanently scarred; people they don't know and will probably never know. Juneau is such a close-knit community that when something tragic happens to one of us, it affects us all. I hope Kevin knew just how much he was loved. I love and and miss you, Kev, and I'll keep you in my heart forever. -K
Sad
I am new to Juneau, having only lived here for six months, but I am already in love with the city. When something like this happens, it rips at my heart. My thoughts are with Kevin's family and friends, you have my sincere condolences.
It appears that Kevin has a Facebook page. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it appears that he loved being outdoors, loved music and loved life. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=515162110
Anyone up for resoring Parential Rights?
Seems like every time a parent slaps a child's mouth or spanks their child there is an assault charge filed. Our entire nation has seen an uprising of violent children, I believe it is directly related to the loss of Parental Rights.
This story is one of thousands that happen throughout our country every year. Our society has taken the rights of the Parents and restricted their ability to raise respectful children. Anyone who believes that a child can be raised by simply talking to them is ignorant. I am not saying "some" children can't be taught this way, I am saying most aren't. The correlation between the disturbing trend in violence and the role of the parent being restricted is obvious.
Children now days do what ever makes them feel good. Power in groups seem to give them the idea that they will be feared (and therefore respected). We see it in the news every day now, our children are blowing up schools, killing their classmates and just strait out killing for the fun of it.
A few parents abuse their children and so the rest of society must stop doing what they know will raise their children to become a respectful member of society? I would rather see a few parents arrested for child abuse (not slapping or spanking) and the rest of us able to raise responsible members of society.
It has now come to a place where children are raised to threaten their parents if they try to stop behavior that IS or WILL produce a criminal when they grow up! They want to have a party, the parent says NO! The parents know whats coming, they know what that child has in mind. The parents wind up in a bedroom dead while the child invites all his friends over to get drunk and act like "adults."
If the parents could have started earlier in disciplining the child without fear of retaliation or jail this would never have happened. Just like this bunch of juvenile delinquents in the story above. They didn't all of a sodden say "hey, let go kill someone." they became this way from hanging out with bad people and I am sure the parents felt as helpless as any parent would.
Now, the world is one more good kid short...
MPshake,
While I understand your sentiment is well intentioned, an outstanding young man has been taken and this is not a proper venue for anything but remembrance and mourning.
There will be a lasting emptiness
felt by those affected by this senseless tragedy. My sincere condolences for their loss.
Mike
Wonderful young man
Kevin was the nicest young man, a real joy to have around. What a senseless tragedy. My heart hurts for his family, my son and all his friends.
So Much Senselessness
I live in Arkansas. Malvern is SW of Little Rock, about 30 miles or so. Its redneck, they would tell you that themselves.
I am sure they didnt mean to kill him, now.
Even if they are charged as adults they will still get a hearing to see if that is proper. Some maybe charged as adults after the hearing and some as juveniles. There is a statute that tells the judge all he should consider, nature of the crime, prior criminal records, etc. So I am guessing he will charge them all as adults and see what the judge says after the hearing.
mpshake, I usually don't agree with you...
however, this time I do. You actually hit the nail on the head. Parents aren't permitted to discipline their children and these types of cruel, senseless acts are evidence of what will happen when our children are raised without morals, discipline and direction.
MPshakes opinions, as usual, are absurd
I wasn't spanked or otherwise physically punished as a child and I didn't turn into a criminal, violent or otherwise. We also have no idea if these kids were punished in such a manner either. Humans make decisions and, if caught, suffer for them. Spanking children and giving adults long sentences doesn't deter crime. Even Clyde Barrow, of "Bonnie and Clyde", was whipped with a belt when he grew up, he still became a violent criminal. When he first went to prison, he was raped and beaten daily. None of this deterred him. The notion that spankings and whippings deter crime is absurd.
condolences to the family of Kevin Thornton
I am from Glen Rose, Arkansas where Kevin was brutally murdered. I am so sorry that this has happened. This from my neighborhood where my children and now grandchildren are being raised is so shocking and disturbing. My heart and prayers go out to Kevin's family and friends.
Beaten to death...
It is sickening to read about senseless violence in this country. Of course the attackers ought to be tried as an adult they aren't babies anymore if they are going to commit crimes like that. They are better off going to the electric chair.
Ginnya, thumbs up for your response.
I agree. We need to stop "pretending" that they are just kids. They are murderers and should be treated as such and I'm all for sending them to their own death for the horrible, senseless and cruel attack on poor Kevin. That's right, all you anti-death penalty cry babies. It's because they know that they won't have to pay the "ultimate" price for their crime, that gives them the sense of abandonment they feel when committing these types of crimes. Anyone who takes the life of someone else (not talking about accidentally but one who commits murder) should forfeit their life. This would be a HUGE deterrent to those even contemplating the taking of someone's life; knowing that they themselves would forfeit their own lives. We are WAY TO EASY on criminals in this country and that's why our prisons and jails are filled to capacity. When you willingly and maliciously take away someone's right to live, then you should forfeit ALL OF YOUR RIGHTS.
Googoo gaagaa!
I am an anti-death penalty cry baby! I have a problem with 12 people who were not there sending someone to their death. Far too many innocent people get convicted. Spend 30 minutes on The Innocence Project's website and you'll be singing a different tune.
And our prisons are filled to capacity because we lock up too many non-violent offenders and casual drug users for too long.
Legalize pot, and cap sentences for non-violent offenses and the prison population will drop dramatically. Leave them in there too long, and non-violent offenders come out violent offenders.
"I have a problem with 12
"I have a problem with 12 people who were not there sending someone to their death." Apparently you do not have a problem with four teens sending one innocent young man to his death.
"Far too many innocent people get convicted." There are FAR more innocent people getting murdered than there are innocent people being convicted.
Legalize pot? Really? Usually those that want to legalize something are those that want to benefit from it. We have enough problems with people drinking and driving, do we really need to add to those numbers by permitting people to smoke pot? That statement of legalizing pot shows what smoking it can do to your brain cells and your judgment.
Dear Thornton Family...
Dear Thornton Family,
Your son was very kind to everyone; I knew him from the pool. I would talk to him before I went swimming. We talked about our mutual car injuries and what a bummer they were, talked about his upcoming Construction Technology courses at UAS and his future. He was always nice to me and had a wonderful, sweet smile. Sometimes when I came out of the pool, I would want a little cheering up, so waited to speak to him, but usually there were his friends (other young people) chatting with him so I just waved goodbye.
I am very sorry this tragedy occurred. May you find some solace in knowing the world is a better place for your son having lived.
Sincerely,
jericabee