Gutless Pricks - sorry no other word suffices

[sledgemeister]

A Florida Corvette driver and his 12-year-old son spent part of Thanksgiving with police after forgetting their beat-down of an 83-year-old man in a Target parking lot might be caught on video. Here's that video.

Police in Delray Beach, Fla., arrested Barry Hochstadt, 53, and his 12-year-old son on Thanksgiving on charges of battering an elderly patron in a Target parking lot a few days earlier. Police say as he was leaving the store and backing up to turn around, Hochstadt's Corvette came close to the victim, who was loading his new Chevy Equinox in the next spot.

When the victim and Hochstadt engaged in a debate on parking lot etiquette, Hochstadt's son hopped out of the Corvette and reportedly told the victim "open your mouth again to my father and I will beat the shit out of you." The 12-year-old then knocked the victim to the ground; Hochstadt got out of the car and kicked him in the groin.

When Target security arrived and told the family Hochstadt that police would be called, the pair left. Police said Hochstadt attempted to disguise his Corvette by switching his "Quick-something" vanity plate for a standard one. Of course, having used his credit card minutes earlier in a heavily monitored discount store, police were easily able to track Hochstadt and his son down.

Not surprisingly, Hochstadt's police record includes a no-contest plea to battery charges in February 2009, after a 2007 incident where he reportedly beat a man with a bowling pin. Hochstadt received probation following that charge; we suspect if the case reaches a judge this time, he may not be such a pushover. (H/T to MountainK1ng!)

[fightingquaker13]

Ahhhhh, Florida, my state comes through again. Here's what gets me.There are hot heads all over. Not more than a few months ago, I got knocked on my ass by some hothead who stopped his car, stormed to mine and looked ready for a fight because my 67 year old mother honked at him. I hadn't even gotten to introduce myself and ask his name (generally a good de-escalation tactic) before I was on the ground (this despite the fact that I wasn't driving and didn't honk ). It worked out ok, and no harm no foul. Just me with a bruised posterior and ego.
I accept that there are hot headed asshats out here.

Here's what I don't accept. More than a dozen shoppers walked past an old man getting his ass kicked and DID NOTHING!!!!! WTF? I'm not into confrontation in general or getting into fights. But what sort of "gutless prick" as sledge says, doesn't intervene? At a minimum, call 911 andannounce loudly that you are doing so once they answer. Beyond that, at least yell at the kid, use your cart as a weapon, or jump in. Take your pick. But just walking past as though its not happening, right here, right now, in front of you? Thats an ingrained Seargant Schultz mentality that disgusts me, Its like the famous case of Kitty Genovese in NY in the 70s where a neiborhood watched a rapist drag his screaming victim back into her apartment to kill her. People need to do SOMETHING. I'm not asking for heroics, much less vigilanism, as we may have the gun, but we damn sure don't have the badge. But for God's sake, do something.
FQ13 who is not real proud to be from South Florida right now.

[JC5123]

I agree with FQ?  WTF!! 

Yes this kind of crap happens because people don't step up and stop it. They just walk past. Personally if they can figure out who they were from the security cameras they should all be charged with negligence.


BUT

Several years ago, my friend and I were exiting a Wal -Mart and came across a guy beating the crap out of his girlfriend. Well neither of us were going to stand by for that BS. So we jumped in, pulled the guy off and while my compadre (A bear of a man) was dealing with the testicleless clown, I tried to determine how badly injured the young lady was.

To my utter shock she came after me! Kicking, biting, screaming! Just going bat sh!t crazy because we were hurting "her man". My friend and I looked at each other (completely confused) let go of the two of them and walked away. As we were getting into the truck the couple drove past, he was still wailing on her as he was driving.

Now, I'm no shrink, but something was seriously wrong there. If I ever came up on that type of situation again, I would be compelled to act, but with much more caution. My point is that sometimes people may not act because they don't know who the perp is in a lot of cases, and/or don't want to become another victim.

Possible episode for TBD? What to do when you come across a violent crime in progress?

[tt11758]

Two points:

1)  Much as it bugs me, I agree with FQ.  Several years ago a good friend from my LEO days was attacked from behind, while in uniform and on-duty, in a crowded convenience store during the July 4th weekend.  He required reconstructive facial surgery in the aftermath of the attack.  During the course of the attack, more than 25 people stood by and watched while this felonious assshole tried to beat my buddy to death.  When I asked my friend why he hadn't shot the SOB, his response was, "We carry FMJ ammo.  I was afraid a through-and-through might hit a bystander."  Personally, I think if they stand by and watch an attack of that severity they kinda would have it coming.....but that's just me.  As for myself, I think I'd have a tough time looking in the mirror to shave if I just stood there and did nothing.......again, that's just me.

2)  As for how to react when witnessing an assault.  Call 911, and let the perpetrator know that you have done so.  If there is a weapon involved in the assault, and you are armed, then you might consider a more.....ahem........direct  intervention.  Use your common sense.  If a guy is slapping his gf around you can't shoot him.  (Well, you CAN, but you'll wind up in secure, unpleasant surroundings, getting passed around like a joint at a Grateful Dead concert......but I digress.)  BOTTOM LINE:  Common sense in your actions.

[tombogan03884]

Remember Kitty Genovese in NY, she was raped, beaten, and set on fire on a NY side walk in broad daylight while people walked AROUND the incident ignoring her screams.
Just proves that the majority really are gutless sheep.

[Sponsor]

[tt11758]

Hochstadt's son hopped out of the Corvette and reportedly told the victim "open your mouth again to my father and I will beat the shit out of you."

Had I said something like that in the presence of my father at 12, or any other age, my dad would've "beat the shit out of" me.

The 12-year-old then knocked the victim to the ground; Hochstadt got out of the car and kicked him in the groin.

And had I knocked an 83 year old man to the ground, I'd have been the one my dad was kicking in the nuts!!



I long for days gone by, and parents who were actual PARENTS.

[twyacht]

The local news reports,....yes, local,....stated the Corvette Dad, swapped tags from his wife's car.  Even though witness's got a great description and tag from the Vette.

Send your 12yo punk son out to assault an 80+ year old man? The Father should be Bubba's cellmate for awhile to learn about respect. Especially, if Bubba's older.

The punk kid, Hmmmmm.......candidate for a military boot camp style reform school sounds good after "his" Grampa wears his ass out with a nice fat leather belt.

oh, and impound the Vette for a couple months at $150 a day,....