Why would anyone do this to another human being?

[tiggger1]

I second that!

 

[mjkacmom]

Interesting, so should the media bear some responsibilty for Tyler's suicide?

I don't think they're responsible, but when I heard about the video on the news yesterday, and the accused named, I did think that the story would encourage kids to track down the video, even though the victim wasn't named.

 

[HM]

I just watched an old episode of Without a Trace last night where a middle school boy tried to commit suicide because of a picture of him naked and tied up was emailed to all his classmates. Then I read about this today and I am amazed at how real to life some TV show episodes can be. While I was watching the show, I thought how appropriate it would be to show kids what 'pranks' and bullying can lead to.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't think they're responsible, but when I heard about the video on the news yesterday, and the accused named, I did think that the story would encourage kids to track down the video, even though the victim wasn't named.

I don't either, but I'm curious if there are people out there that do.

 

[cabanafrau]

Two students attending Rutgers *should* be smart enough to know that their actions would be highly illegal and went well beyond prank level. Exposing someone's sexuality by word of mouth is nasty enough, but to actually invade their roommate's privacy and broadcast his sex acts is downright heinous.

Why shouldn't their lives be ruined? This wasn't a momentary lapse like, say, getting behind the wheel drunk. Drunk drivers who kill someone are punished severely. This plan took forethought and malice, which in my mind is even worse. I'm not trying to actually compare the crimes, but the outcome. Somebody is dead as a result of somebody else's actions.

Very well said.

 

[Nancyg56]

Look I am not trying to defend what they did. I just don't believe this was premeditated.

I also don't believe this is gay related issue. I bet they would have done the same thing if he was with a girl (or alone doing something).

I have no idea how this kind of act can be premeditated. I tried to think how there would be no real thought process that would allow one to tape two people and then put that video on the internet.

IT is a sad fact that gays are bullied way more than straight people. My DBIL was gay and he endured a lot of torment that was related to his orientation. I was listening to the news this morning adn while I cannot remember the statistics, gays were beaten, bullied, teased way more than straights. I do remember that the rate of suicide attempts were 4 times higher.

 

[FergieTCat]

It was not just a stupid old prank. I can only imagine how violated and humilated this young man felt. His roomate broadcasted this twice!!! These 2 deserve their lives to be ruined. They have ruined many peoples lives by their actions.

I think they should be charged with manslaughter. They caused the death of another human being.

 

[Liberty Belle]

While it is sad what happened let's remember that this is just a plain old stupid prank that lead to an awfully bad outcome.

Should the kids who did this be punished. Yes. Should their lives be ruined because of it - probably not.

I don't believe in a million years they ever imagined that the kid would commit suicide.

They were having a discussion about the on "Morning Joe" today and their were arguments on both sides.

It's more than a stupid prank. Yes, they do deserve to have their lives ruined. I'm not a revengeful person. I believe in second chances. But what they did is dispicable and anyone who would have the heart and soul to do something like that should have a crappy life.

 

[FergieTCat]

It's more than a stupid prank. Yes, they do deserve to have their lives ruined. I'm not a revengeful person. I believe in second chances. But what they did is dispicable and anyone who would have the heart and soul to do something like that should have a crappy life.

I think these people need to be punished with more than just a slap on the wrist. More than a small fine. More than community service. The punishment needs to be severe enough to discourage anyone else from doing the same thing. They deserve to be made an example.

 

[cabanafrau]

You have got to be kidding me? What a load of you know what!!!!!

They ought to be glad I'm not the mother of the poor young man who died because as I told my DD last night I'd kill them! Because I don't know how I would live with myself if he were mine mainly because I'm sure she is feeling so guilty. Here he was at a place she probably encouraged him to go to that she sent him to get an education, probably talked him thru his nervousness, told him he'd be fine at school and in reality she sent him to his death.

These were not children these were adults! They need to pay for what they did.

It is obvious you have never had a child who has dealt with these kind of nasty bulllies but I'm sure these were the mean girl type bullies in high school



Off my rant but this really make me want to scream to the colleges that they need to have some sort of questionnaire when placing roommates to prevent this and it isn't always a problem that can be worked out like how messy the room can be. It can be a matter of life or death.

I understand your feelings on this & I'm beyond certain I couldn't consider the situation so objectively if I was the mother who has lost her son. Ruined lives for the two defendants don't necessarily equal justice. IMO a better outcome would be serving a strict sentence, feeling guilt and remorse along with a determination to do some kind of good in this world.

 

[nydvc]

Incredible sad. My Daughter had a rough time at college her first year....thank GOD her roomates were kind and considerate.....

The two people who did this deserve everything they get. AND I hope they feel the pain this poor boy did when he realised his privacy was made public.

I know this is not right, but maybe these two should be filmed in court (or worse) and have that put on the internet. See how they like and see how much they fight it if someone tried to do it.

the poor boy and that Poor familly......

 

[DMass]

I would go so far as to say that this is a hate crime. It's obvious that they have something against gays.

 

[dejr_8]

I understand your feelings on this & I'm beyond certain I couldn't consider the situation so objectively if I was the mother who has lost her son. Ruined lives for the two defendants don't necessarily equal justice. IMO a better outcome would be serving a strict sentence, feeling guilt and remorse along with a determination to do some kind of good in this world.

This is where I am at as well.

When I was an undergrad, a friend's fraternity brothers hid his anti-seizure meds. What if he would have had a seizure, fallen, hit his head and died. Could have been a stupid prank with an unforeseen outcome. Criminal?

 

[FergieTCat]

This is where I am at as well.

When I was an undergrad, a friend's fraternity brothers hid his anti-seizure meds. What if he would have had a seizure, fallen, hit his head and died. Could have been a stupid prank with an unforeseen outcome. Criminal?

Yes, it is a criminal act. The fraternity knew he needed the medication to prevent seizures. If the fraternity's act caused him to have a seizure and he suffered adverse consequences from that seizure, then the fraternity is responsible for those adverse consequences.

I do not think "boys will be boys" is an acceptable defense in any bullying.

 

[EMom]

Exactly. I don't know what they are going to say the "intent" was, but if they can't figure out how devastating and humiliating what they did would be, they are too stupid to be in normal society.

They ruined a life, theirs should be ruined.

I agree. Part of our legal system's job is to "send a message." By punishing them as severely as possible, perhaps it will stop even one other bully out there from doing something similar. This was NOT a stupid prank. It was cruel, vicious and evil. It was designed to destoy a human being and it accomplished its aim. As for the "pranksters" supposedly being punished by virtue of the guilt they are bound to feel.........Well, sorry, I don't buy that for a second. Anyone who could do something like this is WAY short on conscience and I doubt they see much wrong with what they did. They're just sorry it's landed them in hot water.

Geez, I'd be ashamed to have raised a child capable of such a thing.

 

[kinntj]

I would go so far as to say that this is a hate crime. It's obvious that they have something against gays.

I would agree. I have a hard time thinking that this would be done if he was with a girl. He would have been high fived and patted on the back. Them taping was a way to make fun of him/laughing at him because he's with a guy.

Their lives should be ruined.

My prayers are with his family and friends. I also hope that the other person in the video is doing ok.

 

[Hannathy]

My prayers are with his family and friends. I also hope that the other person in the video is doing ok.

wow I was so angry over what they did to this young man that I forgot about that!!!!

Yes I hope his family has been notified and they and the school are working with him. So far I haven't seen his name but that is only a matter of time.

So not only can they be charged with the crimes against the man who died but I hope they throw all the charges they can at them concerning the other victim.

Let's pray this young man can handle this, because now he also has to deal with the national news attention and going thru a trial. God help him.

 

[EMom]

I would agree. I have a hard time thinking that this would be done if he was with a girl. He would have been high fived and patted on the back. Them taping was a way to make fun of him/laughing at him because he's with a guy.

Their lives should be ruined.

My prayers are with his family and friends. I also hope that the other person in the video is doing ok.

There's no way on earth they would have pulled this stunt if he'd been with a girl. Heck, even if they had, they could have predicted he'd be embarrassed to be shown having sex with a girl, but not suicidal......But having sex with a guy when it seems he was not out of the closet and was only 18? No.....That was designed to hurt him in the worst way and shows a darkness of character that scares the crap out of anyone with any sort of morals. It's just sick, twisted and evil.

I don't think it took a rocket scientist to realize suicide might be a logical outcome. Come on....These students got into Rutgers. They are not knuckle-dragging morons. Sociopathic perhaps, but not too dense to realize the possible consequences of their actions.

 

[Buckalew11]

How terrible. Gay or straight, this would be be a horrific thing to endure--and they other young man in this case IS enduring this.



I do not know how or why anyone would do this to someone else. I do not know what the punishment should be (but something more than 5 yrs.for sure).

I would really like to hear the explanation of WHY they did this.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

There is a powerful new movement that Dan Savage has started on YouTube called "It Gets Better." It's a shame that it just started getting publicity this week, because I think it is going to have a very positive effect on young, gay, males/females who are getting bullied. Just do a Google or YouTube search on Dan Savage and "It Gets Better." The videos that are coming out are amazing, and I hope they can help prevent some kids from committing suicide over things like this.

It is becoming far too common, now, and at some point the Courts have to take a hard stance and make someone the example. I would have no problem with the roommate being that example in this case.