From time-to-time I get emails from Newark, DE people who know the attackers and their families. Here are two received last week. One is from a person who went to high school with the thugs and the other is from a parent whose child decided early on to take a different path. For confidentiality (and safety), I omitted/masked details that might hint to their identity. As a disclaimer, these are merely opinions.
Here’s the first:
My name is XXXXXXX and I’ve been following your story since I heard about Austin and Jon getting arrested for what they did. Obviously I’m from Newark and went to high school with the two and their families. Excuse my French but let me first say, they are assholes. Take them down. Do whatever you can. They deserve life for what they did to Ryan. But that’s not why I am writing you…
Now the second:
My name is XXXXXXX. Words can’t express how sorry I am to see you in such a circumstance. You inspire me in many ways. Your love and strength is reminiscent of the Archangel Michael, rising above it all. I pray for Ryan and your family often and will continue to do so.
I live in Newark Delaware. I am not wealthy but I am pretty well connected in Newark. I can help coordinate activities, help you find lodging, help make medical arrangements if Ryan accompanies you, help with event coordination, etc. I am a personal friend of [City Big Wig]. [He/She] is a compassionate [person] that loves to help those people in need; [he/she] will be a big help in getting the word out about events and any legal coordination. Any local support or logistical help I can provide would be my honor.
I am not friendly with any of the Dirt-Bag family’s that attacked Ryan but I am familiar with them. I know of the parents of a few of the bastards responsible for your circumstance. These people never thought to tell their children “No”. These young men were given everything with no expense spared and raised privileged without responsibility or grace. It is sickening that as parents, they won’t take responsibility for their offspring’s actions and more sickening that they feel their adult-children should not be held accountable for their actions; but it is par for the course.
As a father, you and your infinite love for your family that you display daily inspire me. I am a father of [#] children aged… You are a Great Man!
My [one child] grew up with the assailants that attacked Ryan. Early in [his/her] life [he/she] decided not to follow their path, even though [he/she] too was athletic and popular, as their behavior demonstrated anti-social and dangerous tendencies and an absence of parental restraint.
[My child] is a lot like your son Ryan, the kind of kid that gets up early to clear [the] grandparents driveway when it snows (without being reminded) or takes charge when a college-aged friend has become a possible danger to himself or herself because they drank too much. [My child] is not perfect but in [him/her] I see God’s Perfection.
Ironically, [my child] works at a local tavern that was once frequented by Buck Vantrease (funny, he disappeared when the news surfaced of his cowardly son’s actions, and he hasn’t returned); as you know, the Vantrease’s are horrible, selfish parents that have produced no viable offspring. At the risk of sounding sexist, the mother Vantrease is even more evil and totally blind to the pain her children cause, this has been well known locally for years.
[The local tavern] remains frequented by many residents that know at least one of the assailants. I know that many people are aghast by the actions of Vantrease, May and the others. Others will be shocked when they are made aware of the brutal events that caused Ryan’s injuries. Many more will be inspired when they learn the love that your family has continuously shown since Ryan was victimized.
I can only smile that the parent’s are so embarrassed of their kids that they changed their social habits. Ironic how they go into hiding, just like their children did. Well, at least we know where they get it from. Sure, I might not get out anymore, but it’s not for shame of my children.
So, here’s a request. If you happen upon any of the thugs (and parents) out-and-about in a public venue, snap a photo of them or take note of their actions to send to me. The keys here are: 1) not actively seek them out, and 2) capture them in public.
My feeling is Jon May (and Austin Vantrease, when he gets out of prison) should not spend any money until fully meeting the obligations to Ryan. As for the others, they might want to start saving because the financial hammer is coming down. A few pictures of them spending money at a bar, a ballgame, the beach, or anywhere else would be nice to have (and hard for them to justify). You can see what they all look like on the last slide of the Home page, although I could use some better photos of a few if you have them.
sdafs
I’m not entirely sure this is legal since the other guys weren’t convicted of a criminal felony?
As long as it’s in public, it’s legal.
I would hope that as soon as any of them start working and receive a pay check this should trigger something in law enforcemnent to get them to answer the law suit. I mean they got a whole lifetime ahead of them.
Ken, Sue, Ryan and Kari~ How interesting to read about, from someone that knows them, the “real” Vantrease parents. I appreciate the fact that both of these people chose to write and offer support. These type of letters prove that Ryan remains relevant, not only here, but in DE as well.
The other boys should be punished as well. To what degree, I am not sure. I hope Ryan’s plight lives and breathes with them until the day they die. They need to know the anguish of watching Ryan struggle to breathe, move and speak. They should have to sit with him day after day, not being able to do anything because they are sentenced to be by his side every minute, as you have been. I so desperately want to see him wake and tell us what has gone through his mind for the last two years.
Ryan, my heart breaks for you everyday. Keep fighting the good fight, and come back to us when you are able. Much love~Jen
Ken, So nice to know there are people in DE.wanting to help. Those were very nice letters,so many do care. Hope the scum bags all get what’s coming to them. I agree with Carla ,they should have to see what care is involved for you and Ryan each day. Justice will prevail!! Praying and thinking of you all…..Love Gail
Ken, I love this new format! I like that you published these letters. Others like me just assume that because the local papers of the thugs did not by choice cover the story that all of Newark backed the thugs. From these letters it looks like it is the opposite. I am ESTATIC that Poppa Buck has had to change his watering hole and moved on to another place to drown his sorrows. How telling that Mamma is “more evil”, she was the one screaming and yelling at you after the trial like you were the criminal. Thanks to these Newark folks for sharing their stories. Always praying.
Oh how I’d love (as I’ve stated ad nauseum)for a video/audio feed straight into jail cells/work place /home of all thugs and their families. If they could only see what very few in this community see….what REALLY is involved in the care of Ryan. If you saw but a GLIMPSE of the daily routine, the all-consuming, energy-draining, love-driven care of a family trying to keep Ryan’s body in shape for when his mind eventually catches up. And if you could see the roadblocks thrown at the Divineys daily, from red tape in the medical field, to the red-tape of homeowners associations (or people) not understanding the needs of a disabled citizen. It is very humbling indeed. How the Divineys deal with this defies comprehension….thankfully our good Lord gives them the strength to soldier on.
Well said, Carla.
Hi Ken, it was just awful to see all their faces — looking at them twisted my soul in sorrow and anger. Everyone please be careful, as I do not trust this crowd that appears to have absolutely no remorse about physically brutalizing another human being. I don’t know what else they’re capable of, but if they had no problem acting like monsters to Ryan, and they have their parents apparently enabling them to behave in such violent ways, there’s no telling what they could do. There are plenty of people in this world who lack a conscience, and they walk the earth masquerading as humans with hearts. They feel entitled to do exactly as they please, and evidently take pleasure in deliberately wounding and destroying others. It is frightening to see, and even more disturbing to know they can get away with it. The “justice” meted out to May and Vantrease in this case is pathetic and pitiful. It is a travesty of justice in my opinion. Look at the hell the Divineys have had to endure at the hands of these cretins, and look at the very minor punishment given to the perpetrators. It’s profoundly disturbing and leaves one feeling there can never be any real justice. But I digress. Be mindful of these perpetrators, as they do not operate with the same set of values that people with consciences do.
Sending you love and prayers, Ken, now and forever. Evil is frightening, but we all know that in the end, Good triumphs over evil.
The “Dirty Half-Dozen” were in this together! They should be convicted as a team — one no worse punishment that the other. They should be charged with “assault with intent to kill.” The civil suite likely, and hopefully, will change the name of the infamous, murderous “Dirty Half-Dozen” to “The Convicted Six!”
Forgive me, I meant “gang,” not “team,” but no matter; they acted as one force!
They can’t hide forever, and neither can their parents. Keep pursuing the justice and. restitution that Ryan deserves. You have truth, character and Team Diviney (including a strong Newark DE contingent, apparently) on your side. Keep fighting the good fight, Ryan! God is with you every step of the way and He will bring you to ultimate victory. Love and prayer always <3