Judge Calls Vandalism Suspects `Animals'
July 18, 2003
By DON STACOM, Courant Staff Writer

LITCHFIELD -- Castigating four young defendants for "disgusting, animalistic behavior" during the vandalism of a New Hartford school, Superior Court Judge Marylouise Black on Thursday ordered house arrest for the teenagers.

"I don't know what would possess you to behave like a complete animal," Black scolded 16-year-old Richard Hall of Burlington, who prosecutors said committed the worst of the crimes. "There's something demonstrated in that behavior that you have some kind of problem."

The four teenagers and two friends climbed through an open window in the New Hartford Elementary School one night late last month and stole computer equipment, according to police. Some admitted also going on a vandalism spree at the school after drinking vodka and Kahlua, according to statements they gave to New Hartford Constable David Helt.

Assistant State's Attorney Andrew Wittstein told Black the most troubling fact was that some defecated on the floor and onto a drinking fountain, urinated on computers and the principal's desk, and covered a fence with racist and vulgar graffiti.

Hall initially denied much of the crime to investigators, but later admitted defecating on the floor and scrawling graffiti on the fence, according to the warrant affidavit for his arrest.

"It was a ridiculous thing to do. I can't explain it," Hall told Black during the bond hearing on Thursday while his mother, Susan Davenport, and public defender Carol Goldberg stood alongside him in the court house in the Bantam section of town.

Goldberg said Hall asked her to tell the court that "This is something out of character for him."

She emphasized to the court that Hall was not conceding guilt.

Hall, along with 17-year-olds John C. Fecto of New Hartford, Frank P. Jackson of Barkhamsted and Eduardo C. Macias of New Hartford, are charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, possession of alcohol by minors and numerous other charges. They pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

All four had been held overnight in jail, and Black warned each one that she could return them there if they violate the terms of house arrest. They can leave their homes only for work or school, and must constantly be supervised by a parent or designated adult, she said.

Fecto, a high school dropout, must try to get a summer job, and must return to school or work toward a GED, she ordered.

"You'll be back here in court before me. If I hear you have not returned to school or begun a GED, this matter is not going to go well for you," she warned.

Any wages the teenagers earn this summer must be set aside for possible restitution or to repay their parents' legal expenses, Black said. She ordered periodic urine tests or substance abuse evaluations, and ordered all four to return to court on Aug. 14.

Black asked if they realized how they'd embarrassed themselves and their families.

"You understand what you did was utterly despicable? How do you feel?," she asked Jackson, a senior at Northwestern Regional High School.

"Not too excited," he replied.

Goldberg, representing him at the hearing, quickly interjected "Your honor, he's nervous."

Black glared at Jackson and responded "He should be nervous. What he did was absolutely wrong."

Two other suspects, David Wilcox, 18, of Barkhamsted, and Matthew Peterson, 16, of New Hartford, are charged only with loitering on school grounds. They will appear in court July 28.