Man Kills Teen for Walking on Lawn, Police Say

[BettorsChat]

By LISA CORNWELL, AP

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 20) - A man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn was charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard.

Charles Martin called 911 on Sunday afternoon, saying calmly: "I just killed a kid."

Police, who released the call's contents, said Martin also told the dispatcher: "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up."

Larry Mugrage, whose family lived next door, was shot in the chest with a shotgun. The high school freshman was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Martin, 66, allegedly told police he had several times had problems with neighbors walking on his lawn. He remained jailed without bond Monday. His jailers said no attorney was listed for him.

Neighbors said Martin lived alone quietly, often sitting in front of his one-story home with its neat lawn, well-trimmed shrubbery and flag pole with U.S. and Navy flags flying.

Joanne Ritchie, 46, said Mugrage was known as "a good kid," but she always also considered Martin to be friendly.

Union Township is near Batavia, about 20 miles east of Cincinnati.

Associated Press Writer Dan Sewell in Cincinnati contributed to this report.

[tkim11]

....what the hell? This man takes his lawn seriously. But I know how fucking assholish a HS'er can be. I was one of them. But still not a reason to blow his chest up. Bet that hurt

[ELJUGO]

:smoking: :smoking: You know how people get about their GRASS.

[therealdeal]

i should definately be allowed to get rid of neighbors dog then for barking all the time

[therealdeal]

sad to kill a kid though

[amhlilhaus]

this case is more fucked up than the headlines.

I live in cincinnati and it was on the news sunday night, this guy was a timebomb. neighbors said he cut his grass two or three times a day during the summer, he'd walk around with a ruler measuring it, and he HATED anyone on his lawn. the other side is the road had no sidewalk, so either walk in the road or on peoples lawn. evidently this kid had words with him several times, and when he was walking back from playing basketball this nut job ran up to him and shot him, then shot him again in the head. it was premeditated, with kids playing next door and several witnesses.

this is a definite example where this sick fuck isn't mental, just did a horrible act of random violence, should be fround guilty and hung outside the courtroom. as long as asses like this have some jerkoff lawyer (who'll obviously plead insanity) fighting tooth and nail for them stuff like this will continue to happen.

[10DimeBry]

IMO i think the kids family should tie the guy to a chair outside on his lawn then put down some weed killer and run their cars all over his lawn, then after that put a bullet in his head. That would be justice.

[tkim11]

This guy is going to plead insanity. And he's going to get it. Where's the justice? Kill and kid and say you're crazy and you get a whack in the hand. What a joke

[jcindaville]

this case is more fucked up than the headlines.

I live in cincinnati and it was on the news sunday night, this guy was a timebomb. neighbors said he cut his grass two or three times a day during the summer, he'd walk around with a ruler measuring it, and he HATED anyone on his lawn. the other side is the road had no sidewalk, so either walk in the road or on peoples lawn. evidently this kid had words with him several times, and when he was walking back from playing basketball this nut job ran up to him and shot him, then shot him again in the head. it was premeditated, with kids playing next door and several witnesses.

this is a definite example where this sick fuck isn't mental, just did a horrible act of random violence, should be fround guilty and hung outside the courtroom. as long as asses like this have some jerkoff lawyer (who'll obviously plead insanity) fighting tooth and nail for them stuff like this will continue to happen.

Thanks for the input from a local perspective. Horrible is all i can say