Teen sentenced to prison boot camp

[NJFFSA16]

Teen sentenced to prison boot camp in firebombing of St. Louis-area
Hindu temple
ST. LOUIS (AP) - One of two teenagers charged in the
firebombings of a suburban Hindu temple was sentenced Tuesday to
four months in a prison boot camp.
Nathaniel Conner, 17, pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and
criminal possession of a weapon in the pre-dawn firebombings of the
Hindu Temple of St. Louis on Feb. 23 and March 1.
No one was injured in the attacks, which caused limited damage.
Officials at the temple had speculated whether the attacks
involved culprits who wrongly equated Hindus with Islamic
extremists, or who believed they were targeting a Muslim mosque.
Conner's attorney, J. Martin Hadican, said Tuesday the
firebombings were "just two kids doing something dumb."
"It had nothing to do with religious beliefs or political
beliefs," Hadican said. "He feels very bad about the whole
thing."
Paul Laird, 17, is awaiting trial on identical charges.
If Conner successfully completes the boot camp, he will be
placed on probation for five years, Hadican said.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[kghemtp]

Now that's an impressive move by the judicial system. Sets a standard, and things only get tougher from there. Good job, Missouri!


~Kevin
FF/Paramedic