Summer days are supposed to be play time for kids, off from school, and carousing about. Some attend day camp, others in the neighborhood pool, or on the street playing Double Dutch. But for one area teen, there will be no Duck Duck Goose in his near future.
Ryan Folly, 14 was arraigned this morning in the Union County Courthouse. He was charged with 3 counts of first degree murder for the deaths of 2 ants and 1 Japanese beetle.
"He knew what he was doing. He came out to that sidewalk with a magnifying glass in the searing summer heat for one thing and one thing only...to kill," said District Attorney, Michael Rose on the steps of the courthouse. "Due to the maliciousness of the crime, Folly will be charged as an adult. I know they were only insects. But they were insects with families!"
The judged agreed with Rose's argument that a child of 8 or 9 years of age may not be able to make the distinction between right and wrong. But a 14 year old, who should have grown out of this phase, is willfully causing harm or death to others.
Folly's mom, Etta said," It is heart-breaking. It's a mother's worst nightmare to see her child in shackles and handcuffs before a judge. But maybe some good will come of this."
Not considered a flight risk, Folly was released on a $25,000 bond. His trial has been set for October 4th. In the meantime, Ryan's father has set strict rules for him to follow. He is to get up at 7 a.m. every morning. After breakfast, he is to pull weeds and do gardening chores until 3. Then in an effort to rehabilitate him, he is to build an art farm until dinner. And no X-Box. If Folly is found guilty, he could serve up to 99 years in a state penitentiary. But with good behavior, he could be out in 3 weeks.
-Silly's Soft News
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