Judge sentences 3 Ohio teens in 'boredom' beating
2/14/2014CINCINNATI — Three southwest Ohio teens who police said picked out a man on the street and severely beat him because they were bored have been sentenced to various periods of confinement in juvenile facilities.
The three that appeared in court Thursday were among six boys police said attacked Pat Mahaney in August 2012 in suburban North College Hill because they were looking for something to do. The boys were 13 and 14 at the time.
Mahaney died the next year; a coroner ruled his death wasn’t caused by the beating. His brother said Mahaney was traumatized by the beating and rarely left the house, staying in and drinking until he died at the age of 46, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
A judge in Hamilton County sentenced one of the boys to at least one year in a juvenile facility specializing in providing mental health treatment for offenders. Twin brothers will go to a nine-month secured educational and treatment facility. The three earlier pleaded guilty to felonious assault. The Associated Press isn’t naming them because of their ages.
“I hope they can straighten out their lives,” said Michael Mahaney, the victim’s brother. “I really want them to succeed.”
One of the youths told Judge Sylvia Hendon that Mahaney got targeted because he was out and available, and he looked vulnerable.
“So, somebody was going to get hurt that day?” the judge asked. “Wow.”
The youth said he swung first, and Mahaney hit the ground. He was hospitalized with internal and external injuries from the beating that followed.
Two other teens were sentenced earlier to probation and community service. The sixth is due back in court next month, and his case could yet go to trial.