I’m on a bit of a rampage lately. For whatever reason I’m especially irritated that those I believe are responsible for Ryan’s injuries continue to skirt personal accountability. I’m talking about the entire mob — not just Jonathan May, Austin Vantrease (See the other four men named in the lawsuit), — making this a legal procedure. If only they would have just come forward, apologized, and asked us what they could do.
Instead, from the very instance it happened they all ran and hid (cowards). One was run down by the police and even lied, saying he had no knowledge of want just happened outside the Diary Mart. Some came to testify at the trial and seemed to memorize a script of what to say. Fortunately, their scheme failed… miserably. I suspect the jurors caught on right away and the credibility of the entire gang suffered. I was happy to now have the gang’s involvement, by their own testimony, officially on court transcript.
Their testimony was laughable. They squirmed and babbled as their accounts were torn to shreds during cross-examination. So bad, in fact, that the defense attorney dismissed further defense witness testimony after the first two made complete fools of themselves on the stand.
Believe me when I tell you I decided at that time that they were culpable. Yes, clearly I could tell they were involved. They instigated, they surrounded, they pursued, they ran, they hid, and they outright lied when push came to shove kick in the head. None ever came forward with information afterwards. They were obviously scared for their own self-interests, and be damned to Ryan. They didn’t have they balls to step-up. Their dim-witted attempt to help Vantrease and May landed them in hot water with me.
The civil trial I filed attests to that. Don’t forget, some must also answer to Ryan’s roommate, Brian McLhinney, for the harm and injuries they brought on him that night. Still, to me, the civil trial is not enough. They must be identified — for what they are — in society. Employers, girlfriends, creditors, colleagues, and many more should be aware of their history when interacting and dealing with them. It is worthwhile to know what a person is capable of doing (or not doing).
Imagine my shock when I search for them on FaceBook and their information popped-up (I doubt for longer, though). Public information that they are freely sharing! Are they really that foolish? That insensitive? Apparently so. One even had photos of him hobnobbing with Vantrease! You should go take a look for yourself. It took some deep digging in search engines, but like anything done on the internet, these exact photos (free of copyright) were finally found. Perfect! I didn’t need to ask for their consent. But, them filing a lawsuit against me would, in many ways, both keep Ryan relevant and their names forefront. The more their name is in the press, the better. It creates their digital footprint that can never be erased.
Now, I didn’t leave a post on their pages, but what you do is entirely up to you.
Mass Marketing says
I really liked your article post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Read my latest blog post “Online Marketing Is Just Great When You Use This Advice ” from ” http://massmarketing.pro/online-marketing-is-just-great-when-you-use-this-advice.html ”
If you like it, don’t forget to share.
sally ellis says
Once again you nailed it. Who knows why people choose the friends they do, but I can tell you it was a happy day for us when we new Hannah had chosen Ryan for a friend. As always, still here.
Susie says
Ken,
Your words are so true. To all friends of the gang, I would advise you to stay away. Anyone who would attempt to kill a stranger, prevent a stranger from escaping, or watch it happen then run and hide is just as guilty. Any one of these thugs could have tried to help Ryan before, during or after. By leaving him alone, they left him to die. How do you watch an innocent man get brutally beaten, go in to seizures, then run and hide? What low-life cowards. I would never want them in my life. I could never trust them. And anyone who says they’ve changed. They haven’t. They walked away from all responsibility to Ryan, for over 2 years!!! Not even a call to his family to apologize. What worthless animals. Ken and Sue, I don’t know how you do it. Such grace. Stay strong!
Beth Wilmoth says
Still here, always here, forever!! Beth
Stacie says
I just looked on Facebook and I have a pit in my stomach. How could they go on living normal happy carefree lives knowing what they did to Ryan? How could they have 500, 700, 1000 friends and pretend this didnt happen to Ryan? You are right, how could they be so foolish, so insensitive? I just dont get it, at all. It makes me completely sick to my stomach.
Anna says
Always here, always will be! We will NEVER forget what they did to Ryan and your family.
Sue Haviland says
Well said, Tom. I too check the site every day to keep up with what Ryan is accomplishing.He will remain relevant.
Pittsburgh Here says
Foolish? Yes!!
Insensitive? Agree!!
Punks? Yep!!
Ignorant?? Check!!
Losers? Every last one of them~
Gail Doyle says
Ken, For sure we will always be here for Ryan and he will always be relevant. You are so right , that all who deal with those thugs should know what they are capable of doing and how spineless they are. One day they will pay in more ways than one too .Praying for Ryan and your family every day Love gail
Paula says
Hello Ken, a lot of us are right beside you feeling outraged and disgusted.
The group that visciously attacked and just about killed Ryan remind me of the same caliber as George Huguely V, the man on trial for murdering Yeardly Love at UVA.
We know that a person coming from a purported “privileged background” does not in any way assure such person has good values or class. More likely, the kids who were given everything they wanted without having to work for it, who were never held accountable for inappropriate or criminal behavior, who got away with things no one else ever would simply because of their family’s influence in a community — these kids become society’s nightmare. They have a false sense of superiority, and are arrogant, self consumed people who can lie, cheat, and inflict great pain on others without giving it a second thought.
It’s truly a frightening state of affairs, first because there are so many of these souls wreaking havoc in our communities, and second because they have adults in their lives who aid and abet them in their destructive lifestyles. It’s left to the law to hold them accountable, and often times that doesn’t work because the family has enough money to hire a good lawyer, once again allowing the perpetrator to avoid facing consequences. Victims of these criminals are left to fight back using their own resources, time and energy. The damage caused by these selfish, spoiled, depraved hellions is enormous, and in cases such as Ryan, devastating.
I agree with you that innocent people deserve to know exactly who they are dealing with. It would truly be a tragedy for others to have to suffer like Ryan and Brian because they were unware of the corrupt behavior of these men.
I pray the civil court will mete out the maximum amount of punishment allowed under the law…though I know even this will not touch the magnitude of damage inflicted by this crime. But it would be a start.
Praying for justice, sending love and hope always
Paula
Evelyn Boxley says
Thank you Tom well said and please let me reiterate that we might not always post, but we do read and pray and love you all. WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK and always will.
Tom McLhinney says
Ken, thank you for telling it like it really is. Your words are right on the money. They are COWARDS. I looked in the dictionary and next to the word coward were their pictures. They still to this day think that this whole ordeal is a joke. If ANY of these families had the CLASS that you and Sue have, they would of stepped up to the plate a long time ago. It just goes to show you where the kid’s get it from.
Always remember that we are with you and Ryan will ALWAYS be relevent. I checked the website every day to see what Ryan has accomplished. Like you, I will never forget that phone call on November 7, 2009. Your family is always in our prayers. Remember – their day will come.
I can’t begin to imagine how you can sit down and keep everyone updated on Ryan with everything that needs to be done. But, we THANK YOU for keeping us aware of everything that is happening. We don’t always post but rest assurred, we read your post and look forward to your posts and words of wisdom. GO TEAM DIVINEY!!!