Caught this in a St. Paul Pioneer Press story last week: (you may need to register)
A Wisconsin man pleaded no contest Monday to killing his girlfriend\’s son after becoming angry when the boy wet his pants.
Kevin Rood, 42, of Hammond pleaded no contest to second-degree reckless homicide and could face up to 25 years in prison, defense attorney Aaron Nelson said.
Rood was originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide and three child abuse offenses in the death of 8-year-old Stephen Hubbard, who died from injuries Dec. 20, 2004, after Rood pushed the boy into a doorframe. Those charges could have carried a 60-year sentence…
\”Kevin\’s always been very concerned about what happened, and he\’s always been very remorseful about what\’s happened,\” Nelson said. \”I think Kevin was the best thing that happened to that kid. (He) obviously felt he should take some responsibility for it.\”
Yeah – Kevin was the best thing to happen to the kid – until he killed him. If I\’m putting together a list of \”best things that have happened to me,\” the guy that kills me probably doesn\’t show up (unless he kills me while I\’m watching \”Sex in the City,\” in which case he\’s doing me a favor.) In fact, people who have not killed me have a distinct advantage in making the list. But a warning for those sucking up – it\’s going to be hard to leapfrog Peanut Butter Cups, Keira Knightley, and my snowblower.
This goes to show that you can literally say anything these days. He should take some responsibility for it? You think? Was the kid partially responsible for throwing himself into a door frame? Was the door frame maker liable for making particularly dangerous molding?
If an attorney general candidate wants my vote, here\’s all they have to do: Set up a fund whereby people can contribute money – then all that money goes to the family of the first inmate that makes Kevin Rood of Hammond limp for the rest of his life.
August 8, 2011 at 3:11 pm
I knew Stephen. They were our neighbors. He was a wonderful boy filled with curiosity and energy. Kevin was a huge man. We all knew Stephen had troubles with wetting problems. We didn’t think anything of it. When I saw bruises I thought he was just being a boy. I’ve watched the kid jumped five feet from a tree land on his butt and laugh about it! He played hard.
I have my concerns about drugs in their house. His mother had five other kids taken away from her. She is not innocent in this. She waited three hours to call 911.
Two weeks after Stephen died I saw her in a bar drunk and dancing with strange men. I asked her about her son and she talked about him as if his death wasn’t a big thing… I’m currently working on a project to tell the world his story. I have to be careful though… And keep my identity a secrete.