UPDATED: Suspect in Hay Bail Theft Shooting Enters Plea
UPDATED: Suspect in Hay Bail Theft Shooting Enters Plea Save Email Print
Posted: 9:49 AM Aug 15, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:04 PM Aug 15, 2008
 Reporter: Phil Weber
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) – The man charged with the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy pleads plead guilty to lesser charges.

During a hearing Friday afternoon, Eric Whisman pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and discharging a firearm near a residence.

Whisman was originally charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault and one count of discharging a firearm in the death of 17-year old Nathaniel Kennedy.

Whisman will be sentenced on September 16.

Police say Whisman, who was the caretaker of the Twin Creek Gun Club, caught two teenagers trying to steal a bale of hay.

That’s when police say Whisman, armed with a rifle and scope, fired a warning shot toward the teens.

As the teens took off in their truck to get away, investigators say Whisman fired again striking and killing Kennedy who was a quarter mile away.

Whisman could get a maximum sentence of 13 years. Family members say they expect a 4 year sentence.

Whisman was scheduled to go to trial on the charges Monday.

The shooting happened last October.

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Posted by: i am a true family member on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:46 PM
okay brianna spoke her peace now let me give you my peace to: family on Aug 18, 2008 at 09:55 AM do you evan kno what in the world you are talkind about??? i doubt it and if you dont know then keep your comments to your self got it ??? no u must not be to inteligent are you ? well if you ever get enough BA DOULBLE L'S respond to me and nates sister okay soo i am not saying any thing bad about any body but the person who calls theis self family
Posted by: can't understand on Sep 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM
It is beside me how the law say's it is ok to murder anybody like that.This just lets everybody know it ok, Kill but do not not get caught with DRUGS. You get more time for drugs then murder.
Posted by: question on Sep 10, 2008 at 12:08 AM
how do you shoot a gun for target practice with a hand that was broken just a few days before?
Posted by: i do know on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I don't balme you for trying to convince people that Nate was not on several differnet kinds of illegal drugs,but the toxicology report proves differently.It is in black and white.
Posted by: very sad on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:29 AM
What is wrong with all of you. Have a little compassion for this family. My goodness, everyone of you that has said this boy got what he deserved is basically saying that your child, grandchild or other family member, including yourself deserves to be shot in the back and killed because I guarantee that 9 out of 10 have taken something that didn't belong to them. I'm not saying it's right to take anything, but it happens. Breanna I apologize for the comments that some of these people have made, it really saddens me that they can be so cruel. I know that its hard but you will get through this. You will always miss him, I still miss my brother very much. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
Posted by: BREANNA KENNEDY on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:23 PM
After posting a comment I tried to tell myself that I said what needed to be said & not to read this nonsense any longer,I feel that I need to clear just a few more things up with those of YOU WHO KNOW IT ALL!!Posted by:family on Aug 18,2008 at 09:55 AM to whom ever you are that posted this!AT what point has the story changed from my family?Yes my brother did have drugs in his system but you don't know why do you?Two days before he was MURDERED his hand was broken & those illegal drugs you are talkin about were prescribed to him trust me it was so much fun for me to deal with the death of my brother while having to go get hospital & doctor records to prove to the prosecuting office that they were for his hand & 100% legal!So all of you who just get on here & say what you think,need to think about the people who know what really happened and how it makes me feel to hear you say nate got what he deserved!are you serious?AGAIN HE WASN'T STEALING FROM ERIC NOR WAS HE EVER ON HIS PROPERTY!!!
Posted by: Point of View on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I didn't know either of the individuals, and it is for this reason exactly that I feel that I can be completely impartial and cut through the emotional aspects of this situation. I stand by what I wrote on Aug 18, 2008 at 11:41 PM. Mr. Whisman, having six kids and a step child to consider, should have take a moment before shooting at the hay bale thiefs to consider their lives as well as the two in the truck. It wasn't as if Mr. Whisman didn't have other options than to shoot. He simply decided to gun down a boy of 17. He deserves more than 4 years to think about this. Sorry for his wife and kids, but Eric Whisman is to ultimately blame for his poor decisions.
Posted by: anon on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Most of you don't know either of the people involved in this so how can you possibly pass judgement on a matter as grave as this without knowing all of the facts and the people involved.
Posted by: anon on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:59 PM
The gun club is NOT a public facility. It is a member owned private club. Only those who pay an annual membership have any right to be there unless you are an invited guest. There are signs posted that say " Members Only" " No Shooting without permission".
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:40 AM
sorry breanna for the rude comments on your little brother. Hope your family is doing ok.
Posted by: Point of View on Aug 18, 2008 at 11:41 PM
David on Aug 16, 2008 at 01:12 PM, Let me tell you that I, for one, am not afraid to defend myself, or my family. I have been stolen from and still maintain that this was a case of Whisman thinking he had more rights than he did. I don't believe that a 17 year olds life is only worth a bale of hay. I believe if Whisman had the ability to scope the truck, then he sure could have gotten the license plate and called the police instead of taking things into his own hands. I have a 38 special that I would use if necessary to protect myself and my family's lives only. That's why people pay insurance and have the police for. No matter what this kid's toxicology screen said, it doesn't give Whisman the right to take aim with a high powered rifle and take him out like big game. I can't stand liars or thieves, but it doesn't mean that I think they should be killed for it. This was a kid, for pete's sake. I guess you were an angel that did everything right in your life.
Posted by: Dustin on Aug 18, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I understand that stealing is a crime and that we shouldn't do it. I mean it is a commandment. I also know what happened to Nate is just as wrong. Thou shalt not kill is also a commandment. I guess no one seems to look at this tragic situation from this standpoint. I personally believe that murder is way worse than stealing. You can replace things, but you can never replace a person's life. Common sense. I completely understand Breana Kennedy's stance on this. I can only say how very sorry that Nate is gone forever over such a stupid thing. Eric Whisman will have to answer to a more just judge one day. Peace be with you.
Posted by: LJ on Aug 18, 2008 at 05:46 PM
???, their only rights are derived from the law. There is no law that allows the shooting of a teenage hay stealer. Whisman wasn't obeying the law, hence the charges/plea.
Posted by: ??? on Aug 18, 2008 at 04:56 PM
I do admit that taking a life s wrong, but these people think that they can come into others property and take what they want!! I guess that's alright, For those who don't know, stealing is getting worse every single day, mostly over drugs! People do have the right to protect their property.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 18, 2008 at 03:07 PM
anyone taking up for this man needs to research this story he wasn't defending his property he is not a farmer he was a caretaker i hope he gets his in prison!!
Posted by: Mike on Aug 18, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Wow, everyone loses here. First the guy shot the boy stealing a bale of hay and why its a bale of hay not like mother nature wouldnt yield you no more. This guy should get at least 15-20 years but probably wont. Second of all this young man who got shot shouldnt have been stealing in the first place what do you think no one is going to try to stop you from stealing there stuff. The guy who shot this kid should have just called the police and had the boy arrested. But, when you shoot someone a quarter mile away thats murder, no bones about just murder. So this young man loses his life and this guy will end up with probably less then 5 years because the courts are just stupid.
Posted by: BREANNA KENNEDY (SISTER OF NATE) on Aug 18, 2008 at 01:23 PM
OKAY I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!I have got to read your thoughts on how my little brother got what he desereved well let me tell you all something here are the facts for all of you pathetic people!1 eric whisman is not an ohio farmer he lives in a trailer next to the gun club property where my brother was.2 Nate has went there for years to sited his guns with his dad so to him that was like his second home my father knows the owner and would not have cared about the hay.3 Nate was never on eric property,never in his house and wasnt't even close to him let alone breaking and entering on eric AND HE DID NOT STEAL FROM ERIC! Nate was never even on his property so you let me know how my brother was a threat!?4:Nate was never trespassing hello PUBLIC PROPERTY GET IT STRAIGHT!you people are heartless to say that he got what he deserved because i'm sure that if this happened to your family you would feel like all eric got was a slap on the wrist, and now you are all patting him on the back for it! bre
Posted by: neig on Aug 18, 2008 at 12:06 PM
i wrote yesterday about the ambulance article if you did not post it because i forgot the email part well here it is I know my information to be true..your news reporters got here from huntington just after the ambulance. I tried to tell my story to them that night and they were not interested. it wasn't the BIG NEWS.our public has the right to know.
Posted by: Joanne on Aug 18, 2008 at 11:13 AM
There are consequences for one's own actions. Obviously. However, I do believe that the consequences should be proportionate to the action. Stealing is not the same as murder. Get a clue people and use a little common sense. I believe that we should be held accountable for our actions. That's part of what is wrong with today's society. However, again I must say that killing a boy, no matter what drugs he had used previously, is not justified by stealing. Especially over a bale of dried grass. To suggest otherwise is ludicrus. I was always under the assumption that even if an intruder broke into your home you needed to fear for your life or that of your family before actually killing someone. Can you not remember what it was like to be a bit rebellious at 17? This wasn't Whisman's home anyway. It was a business that could have written off the loss anyway. Not that it would have made stealing acceptable, but definitely offsets the need to kill for it. Dried grass people.
Posted by: family on Aug 18, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Mr.Whisman did not know who this yong man was.The hay was not by the road,there were several bales stacked up under anoverhang on the porch of this club which sits back off the road.This young man was full of illegal drugs,was trespassing and had weapons.They were not stealing just one discarded bale like they tried to say.Hay was selling very high at the time,around $7 a bale.A dozen bales would give you $84 for drug money.The story by the other young man and Nathaniel's family has changed several times but Eric's has not changed,because it is the truth.
Posted by: anonymous on Aug 17, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Breaking/Entering,NOT! Was the road they were on a RIGHT of WAY to the Twin Creek Gun Club? Had the Boy's been their BEFORE at the Gun Club that anyone knows of? Posted by:EBK on Aug 15,2008 at 9;04PM, below,stated that Mr.Whisman knew the boy he KILLED b/c this boy was at the house where the Care-Taker,Mr.Whisman lived,a week prior to this Killing.WHY? Thought in one of their printed articles it said the Bale of Hay was BY the ROAD,in the OPEN! Was their a reason? Find it STRANGE the boy's got the bale of hay,in the OPEN WHERE EVERYONE could SEE THEM & THEIR TRUCK,and THE BOY'S DIDN"T ATTEMPT TO RUN OR HIDE,until this Eric Whisman FIRED his SCOPED RIFFLE! If you heard a RIFFLE being FIRED your way,would you run,leave or take cover? Why,then did Mr.Whisman watch the boy's leave,DRIVE A Quarter of a Mile Away,knowing the Boy's were SCARED and FIRE the SCOPED RIFFLE the 2nd time and Kill the boy? Sounds FISHY! If People KILL EVERYONE who BREAKS the LAW,not many people would be left!
Posted by: the judge on Aug 17, 2008 at 09:11 AM
I feel bad that he was killed over a bale of hay, but there is the issue of consequences for ones actions. It's called personal responsibility. I have been robbed by a thief in the night on 3 occasions over the last 5 years, one time it was my car. In neither situation did the police do anything at all even though there was no doubt in 2 of those situations who the perpetrators were. When you step onto someones property to steal something you need to understand that perhaps the one you're attempting to steal from has worked hard for what they have, and for someone to just come along and take it and never suffer the consequences for their crimes is enough to make anyone go over the edge and take the law into their own hands. I know a bale of hay along with the circumstances are a little different, but my main point is that people are just fed up especially when they recieve little or no help from authorities. Had this young man not been breaking the law he's be alive today!
Posted by: Rick on Aug 17, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Thank goodness another criminal is locked up, for a short time only. The state will pay for him to be in prison. Who cares I will gladly write the check to the state to keep people like Eric in prison. He shot someone and killed them. They weren't breaking into his home as so many of you have said. "I would do the same thing if my home was being broken into". The problem with that argument is Eric's home wasn't being broken into. I hope they pursue a civil action against Eric Whisman, and get what they deserve! Hopefully drivng Eric to the poor house. Than Eric can never forget what he did to that boy. Just like Nathaniels mother will never forget what happened that fateful day. Eric will be riminded everyday when he writes a check to them.
Posted by: Itdoesn'tMatter! on Aug 17, 2008 at 08:37 AM
It doesn't matter if it was a bale of hay, a gallon of gas or the local bank. Stealing is stealing!!
Posted by: family member on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Thank you to all of those supporting Eric and us.He absolutely did not do this on purpose and the investigation proved this(read the article in the Portsmouth Daily Times).This was not such an innocent boy,his pathology report proves he had several illegal substances in his body.Eric had a job making good money with health insurance and has always worked hard to provide for his children(6 and 1 stepdaughter)he also has a son with a disability.Now,the state will be losing the taxes he paid,paying money to keep him locked in an overcrowded prison system,and will be paying to help raise his kids over an ACCIDENT yes it was tragic but not purposeful.That other young man has told several different versions of their story,Erics' has never changed,because it is the truth.
Posted by: anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:59 PM
For those of you who say he should have called the law...they slap them on the wrist and nothing is done. Franklin Furnace is full of innocent 17 year olds! The first shot means get out and the second one means stay out. If you havent been a victim of someone coming into your home and stealing your possessions then you don't know the feeling you ask yourself of why anyone feels entilted to come into your world and violate your safety. Do you lock your doors and night? Why?
Posted by: ridiculous on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:06 PM
I understand the whole stealing argument. However, this wasn't anything other than a bale of hay. Hay is simply bound up cut tall grass. So basically Mr. Whisman killed a 17 yr old boy over a bunch of grass, and I don't mean marijuana either. Kids play pranks and do stupid things, obviously it was a bad decision, but to die for hay is absolutely ludicrus. It also seems a bit excessive to have fired a gun not once, but taking aim with a scope and firing a second time. You can't tell me that Mr. Whisman didn't ponder the possibility of hitting the truck and thus the occupants. To me, this is where it goes to the crime of murder. Parents should have more control over their kids sure. However, can any of us say that we did exactly what our parents said until that magic time when it actually made sense to ourselves? Exactly. Mr. Whisman should receive a much harsher sentence than 4 years for this. A young man made a mistake that he paid for with his life. Ridiculous. Grass.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Eric is NOT innocent. He did fire the gun that ended the boy's life. He should get whatever the crime time deserves. He did the crime, he should do the time. He or his family were not threatened by people RUNNING away with stolen property. To others--our law says that you cannot kill someone for stealing your stuff. Thats the law. Don't like it--either move to another country like Saudi Arabia where criminals hands are cut off, or get active politically. I too get tired of people stealing my stuff. If you take the law into your hands, then be prepared for the consequences.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 02:30 PM
throw the book at this jerk...what he did was so wrong and very uncalled for
Posted by: annoymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Nathaniel Kennedy started the chain of events that eventually ended his life. Put me on the jury, civil or criminal, and Whisman walks. Start taking responsibility for your actions. They are exactly what cause "reactions" from others and in this case, it cost a kid his life.
Posted by: David on Aug 16, 2008 at 01:12 PM
OK, get it straight. The boy did not lose his life over a bale of hay. He lost his life over stealing and trespassing. Until you have had a couple of punks snickering and laughing while their stealing the things that you worked so hard for, you need to shut up and let the rest of us protect your property, family, and pursuit of happiness. Do not judge people who can make the decisions that you are too afraid to.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 12:34 PM
i feel for both families but he could of chose to shoot the tires or just to let the law do its job by getting the tag number that would of saved a young kids life i hope when he goes to bed at night he thinks about a mothers grief he had good councel and maybe even advices from judges that could not try the case but if they are friends and their children played together then i respect the judge for steping down not trying the case there is some good in sciot county but u do have to have someone at your home all the time to keep what u got i just wish this had not happened to just a young man may god be with u all sometimes no word can help and only god can heal a broken heart
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 12:18 PM
The thing that gets me here is that yes it was JUST a bale of hay BUT he was still in the wrong for stealing it and NO he shouldn't have lost his life for it but you have to stop and at least admit that he was not an innocent person who was murdered in cold blood. He was actually in the process of commiting a crime so place a little blame where it should be. If he hadn't been there he wouldn't have been shot.
Posted by: to ebk on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:39 AM
No you are the one that needs ur head examined Pablo is right.See if parents would take the time to teach their kids right from wrong then this kid would not of been there in the first place. he was 17 yrs old and should of known right from wrong,to many times kids do something wrong and suffer no consequences for their actions or mommy and daddy bail them out so they get the mentality that everything is all right.Tell me what would of happened if wiseman would of called the law,they would of laughed then the kid would have thought it was ok then next he might of stolen a car or broke into someones home so it is not wisemans fault it is the parents whose shoulders this falls on teach your kids that stealing no matter how small the item is not right and there wont be instances like this
Posted by: Ky. Girl on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:19 AM
To anon on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:04PM Yes that is true anyone can be carrying any kind of weapon and you never know what they might do with it. That is why I don't blame Mr. Whisman for doing what he did. If the boys were stupid enough to do this in broad daylight and know that they could be seen by Mr. Whisman. He was doing what he thought was right by protecting his land and family. I am sure that Mr. Whisman didn't intentionally kill this boy, you don't know maybe that was his only gun. Now because of the boys' stupid mistake (crime) Mr. Whisman's children are having to suffer not having their father around. Yes it is sad that this young boy lost his life but I don't feel that this INNOCENT man should have to do any time.
Posted by: Anonymous in OH on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I Believe that we are looking at this as well he thought it would be ok to shoot at them. I think that he was only protecting what he had. I know that I would personally shoot at someone who was breaking into my house stealing my stuff. Im sorry to say this but protecting yourself is better than you losing your life over your property. I also heard that these kids had a gun in their vehicle so who is to say that they wouldnt have turned back around and done something themselves. I dont think Mr.Whisman did this intentionally he was only protecting what was his. I am sorry for the families of both parties!
Posted by: Rob on Aug 16, 2008 at 07:10 AM
TO WHat. You state "There would be less crime is people thought they could get killed for it." Silly statement you made. People commit crimes everyday with the reality that their actions could lead to death. The death penalty doesn't stop people from commiting murder! I hope the Kennedy family gets a small amount of closure from this sentenceing. I wish that their heavy hearts can be lifted a bit. It's horrible to lose a child, no matter what that child did, they still love him. That means both Nathaniel and Eric. I dont believe for a minute a bale of hay is worth killing someone. I wonder if Eric is asking himself why didn't he run towards them? Instead of firing from a 1/4 mile? To the Kennedy family: I feel your sorrow I too had lost a child, and you have to try and open your hearts up and allow yourself to love and cherish his memory. SAD story!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 06:41 AM
He may get 4 years--I bet the family of the boy pursues a civil claim. That was so stupid over a bale of hay, so many lives messed up.
Posted by: It was a bale of HAY on Aug 16, 2008 at 06:21 AM
OK, stealing/robbing IS getting out of hand BUT this was only a stupid bale of HAY people! Apparently the kids weren't armed so they weren't posing a threat to this man or his family evidently. It wasn't money. Wasn't a car. Wasn't even copper for heaven's sake! It was one stupid bale of HAY!!! Is THAT truly worth a life? Not to me.
Posted by: LM on Aug 16, 2008 at 02:30 AM
Let me catch someone stealing from me and I'll do what it takes to make sure they don't do it again....I don't want to kill anyone, but I can't stand a theif. How was he to know this was a young boy, would you all feel the same if it had been an adult man? This man was protecting what was his, I don't feel that he should get any time over it. Yes, it is sad that someone lost their life, but they shouldn't have been stealing. Working up hay is a hard job, why would anyone want to do it and let soemone steal it.....Fist his hay and then what would they come back to steal....I bet the other boys learned a hard lesson...My heart does go out to the family of the boy and this man....It was something so simple that could have been avoided....
Posted by: ???????? on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:26 PM
i think that he should get time for it. He shot the gun having all intentions of killing the boy. And he should have to go to jail for what he did.
Posted by: anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:04 PM
To:Posted by:EBK on Aug.15,2008 at 09:10 AM.This is NEWS to most readers that this guy has a domestic violence record! Do you know what about? From what I've read,it didn't seem these boy's posed a threat to anyone.Most people would have watched them steal the Bale of HAY,from the distance while calling the police or hollered at them to scare them off! Anyone,would run when a riffle is FIRED at them,if they had any brains! For the boy's to take their truck and get the Bale of Hay where everyone could see them,not hiding,it seems they may have knew someone,maybe the owner of the land or someone close by! To:Posted by:Ky.girl on Aug.15.2008 at 09:24PM,How would you know if anyone had a gun on them or not,you can't tell by looking at them or what they do,until they pull it out. Who knows these days your nice little AVON LADY or CARE-TAKER could have a gun and be NUTS,or the person you are sitting beside of in Fast Food Place,could leave and return with a gun to shoot every one!
Posted by: a mother on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:03 PM
this is for J's comment as a mother when raising your children we teach them right from wrong, but when they are out of your sight who knows what they get into""' so we assume your not a parent or your a dead beat dad and you would know what it means to raise your children the best way you can and you pray that the lessons you have taught them will stay with them some do and some dont!!! SO DONT GO BLAMEING DEAD BEAT PARENTS. THATS POT CALLIMG THE KETTLE BLACK.... THANK YOU CINDY
Posted by: me on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Whatever I can not believe a person lost a life because of something so STUPID!
Posted by: Beth on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I think it is a shame that some of you think these young boys got what they deserve and to blame the parents. You must not have kids. My heart goes out to this young boys family. Also Pablo you seem to post alot on here negative things mostly, you obviously do not have a job nor kids, cause you spend to much time on here.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:11 PM
sounds like he meant it, with a rifle and a scope? That was no accident. He meant to kill that kid.
Posted by: Ky. girl on Aug 15, 2008 at 09:24 PM
This is a sad situation. Mr. Whisman was just trying to protect what was rightfully his. Past articles on this story stated that Mr. Whisman's kids were outside playing in THEIR yard when these boys decides to break the law. Why should a hard working DAD be punished for protecting his property and family. How was he to know that the boys didn't have some kind of weapon. Even though they looked as if they were leaving, who is to say that since they knew that they had been caught, that they wouldn't have returned to actually do some harm later that night.
Posted by: EBK on Aug 15, 2008 at 09:10 PM
This goes to "Pablo" you need your HEAD examined if you think Eric deserves a medal, what is wrong with you? He shot a teenager! What would you think if someone shot your child & took their life..Think about it! If anything Eric needs to be locked up the rest of his LIFE & should never see his family again. I would be scared if I was his wife or children..especailly knowing he shot a young boy plus has a "domestic violence" record. He's capable of doing the same thing to them. I hope the judge decides more time for him come September 16th. My heart goes out to Nathaniel's family!
Posted by: EBK on Aug 15, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Can someone help me understand this case a little better...So Eric called the police after he shot Nathaniel saying he did it, then he pleaded "not guilty" and now he pleaded "guilty" and took the plea bargain. How is that possible? What is wrong with our "court system?" They're pretty much telling every other citizen that they can go out shoot someone over something stupid such as a bail of hay then just get 4 years for it. I guess depends on WHO you are and how much MONEY you have! Money definitely "talks" in Scioto County..Pretty sad that Nathaniel's parents have to live the rest of their lives knowing justice wasn't done the way it should of been. You don't just shoot someone especially "knowing who it was" (which Eric knew b/c Nathaniel was just at his house a week before this happened) in the back when they're leaving. If Eric was any kind of person he should of called the law & had them take care of it instead of taking matters in his own hands.
Posted by: OHIO on Aug 15, 2008 at 08:36 PM
GUILTY,GUILTY,GUILTY?
Posted by: J on Aug 15, 2008 at 08:31 PM
To all of you saying "this was someone's child" - If the parents had done a better job teaching him right from wrong, he would still be alive. Society once again requires the responsible to pick up the slack for deadbeat parents.
Posted by: carebear on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:07 PM
whisman was wrong to kill the boy.everyone steals something when there young.whisman must not be very smart.
Posted by: Hefner on Aug 15, 2008 at 06:18 PM
I support the Whisman family. I hope it all works out for them.
Posted by: Jack on Aug 15, 2008 at 06:15 PM
The trajectory is what it is. if the path of the bullet was leaving the barrel going through the air, penetrating the truck, and finally hitting the boy. Then the intent was to kill. The only way they can say there was not intent to kill by studying the trajectory is if the bullet ricocheted into the truck. Otherwise the trajectory was estimated by the shooter and is what it is and did not change itself in flight.
Posted by: Kathy on Aug 15, 2008 at 03:47 PM
so sad. a life lost over a bale of HAY? i realize people are getting tired of crime & thefts, but come on, it was only a bale of hay UNLESS there's more to the story & these kids had done other things far more serious which threatened him or his family I can't see aiming a gun at them over a bale of hay anyway so sad for everyone. a stupid act has taken a life of someone's son, brother, grandson and put another man in jail over something really trivial 4 years or even 13 max doesn't seem enough to me and apparently they thought the best option was to take the plea bargain life is worth more than a bale of hay people
Posted by: Citizen on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:45 PM
The article states that Eric Whisman who saw the boy's steal a bale of hay,shot at them with a scoped riffle,then AFTER the BOY'S LEFT,in their pick up in truck and was a (QUARTER of a MILE AWAY) INTENTIONALY (SHOT at them AGAIN) with the SCOPED RIFFLE (KILLING ONE OF THEM!)WHY! When THEY WERE IN THEIR TRUCK LEAVING ALREADY A QUARTER of A MILE AWAY! YES,Mr.WHISMAN MURDERED that boy! This article states that MR.Whisman IS EXPECTING TO GET 1 to 4 years for MURDERING A TEEN OVER A BALE of HAY! This guy was HIRED as a Care-taker not a Killer! Wonder how the Parents of the teens feel? A young sons life was cut short by this Guy? Mr.Whisman knew when he FIRED the SCOPED RIFFLE (SECOND SHOT) TOWARD THE TRUCK,he could KILL someone! He should have called the POLICE and let them take care of, pulling the truck over!Wonder what a Judge,Police or any Parent would think if this was their son? Never knew a Real Farmer who KILLED people for this? Please Post your Comments on this!
Posted by: anon on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Come on over a bail of HAY? I can see over a child or a person abusing a farm animal (something living) but you can replace a bail of hay, but not this mother and father's child... He should be sentenced longer for this it was murder and he is capable of reckless homicide if someone my come to his home to steal a flower. Then what you they do...
Posted by: Pablo on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Once again law abiding citzens are held to an higher account. The boy got exactly what he deserved for stealing. No one is to blame for his death except him. We are not safe in our homes and if we try to protect ourselves and the criminal gets hurt, we are the ones in trouble. I think Mr. Whisman should be given and medal for his actions. I also think both boys parents should be fined and jailed for not raising their offspring to be good citizens. That and punishment for crimes will make us all safer.
Posted by: gun lover on Aug 15, 2008 at 12:59 PM
this day and age you cant protect what is your you just hve to let them still it
Posted by: HowFar? on Aug 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM
What is that, 440 yards? Boy if everyone was as good a marksman as this man there would be a lot less stealing going on! The lesson here should be "do not steal", but instead I guess it is another case of "steal anything you want" because the legal system will punish the person protecting his property. I guess the next story will be Parents sue gun club.
Posted by: wildbill on Aug 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM
why should he be charged with anything;they were trying to steal from him;
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:45 AM
OMG!!!!! 1-4 yrs for shooting a kid in the back!! Yes he shouldnt have been stealing ( a bail of HAY!!!! ) but he shouldnt had been shot at for it..Wow this kids life was just worth a bail of hay :( sad
Posted by: WHat on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:14 AM
This makes is sound like it's ok for people to steal stuff from you and you can't don anything about it. There would be less crime is people thought they could get killed for it.
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