Father: 'We're just happy he's alive'
Man arrested on suspicion of throwing mirror due in court
Vanessa Miller, Daily Camera
Originally published 06:32 a.m., March 24, 2008
Updated 06:32 a.m., March 24, 2008
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The father of a man who was hit and seriously injured early Friday by a mirror thrown from a window near the top of a 13-story University of Colorado residence hall said Sunday that his son is lucky to be alive -- but isn't out of danger yet.
"We still don't know," said Richard Haly, of Gunbarrel. "With a head injury like that, maybe a week later you have a seizure. Who knows?"
Joshua Moran, 20, of Boulder, was standing near Stearns West residence hall in Williams Village on CU's campus about 2:30 a.m. Friday when a 3-foot-long dressing mirror smacked him on the back of the head.
It had come out of a window 12 floors up, according to CU police.
"The glass was three-quarters to an inch thick," said Moran's father, Haly. "That's pretty significant."
CU freshman Rolf William Johnson, 19, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of throwing the mirror. He faces a felony charge of second-degree assault and misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Johnson remained in the Boulder County Jail late Sunday in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
Numerous students were nearby when Moran was hit with the mirror, and broken glass sliced the foot of CU student Madison Mangines, 19, police said.
Neither Moran nor Mangines could be reached for comment.
Witnesses told investigators Moran was bleeding badly from the head, and paramedics were concerned initially that his injuries were life-threatening, according to police.
"There were glass shards imbedded in the back of his scalp," said CU police Cmdr. Brad Wiesley.
Moran was released Friday from Boulder Community Hospital.
"His injuries could have been much more tragic than they were," Wiesley said. "It's easy to understand how it could have been a fatality."
Wiesley said Johnson told police why he threw the mirror, but Wiesley wouldn't discuss the student's explanation because he said it will be addressed in court.
"But clearly, from his statement, he didn't think anyone would be harmed by doing it," Wiesley said. "From what I know, he is remorseful."
Wiesley said investigators think Johnson was alone in his room when the mirror was thrown, and they don't suspect alcohol or drugs were involved.
One of Johnson's family members, when reached Sunday at her home in Villanova, Pa., declined to comment for this story.
Haly said he and his wife are still in shock over the bizarre incident that nearly took their son's life.
"What was (Johnson) thinking, or what was he not thinking?" Haly said. "What's up with people who do things like that?"
While reading about their son's injuries in the newspaper, Haly said his wife started to cry.
"When you see you almost lost a son. ... It's hard," he said.
Moran's family is waiting on test results and follow-up appointments to make sure there's no swelling in his head, Haly said.
"I've started calling him Chicken Little," Haly said, referencing the fable about a fowl who thinks the sky is falling after getting hit on the head with an acorn.
"We're just happy he's alive," he said.
And, Haly said, he hopes the person who threw the mirror will be held responsible.
"There will be consequences," he said. "That message has to get across to CU students."
Johnson is scheduled to make his first court appearance today, and CU's Office of Judicial Affairs will decide his fate at the university. Haly said he doesn't think Johnson -- if convicted of tossing the mirror -- should be kicked out of school.
"Because, obviously, he needs to learn," Haly said.
Comments
Posted by davehughes on March 24, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Three foot long, thick glass mirror? 19 year old Freshman alone in his room when he tossed it out a 12 story building window? Then saying he didn't think that would harm anyone?
His parents, who obviously didn't teach him any sense of responsibility for 19 years should be the ones fined about a half million dollars, for bad parenting, besides paying the kid's fines - he obviously as a freshman college student can't pay. They are the ones who need the 'lesson' as much or more than the kid.
Posted by SXC on March 24, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the fact that he did not think it would hurt anyone??? are you kidding me? how the hell did he even get into CU??? he is dumb!!!
Posted by PMSXpress on March 24, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think at age 19 and enrolled in college, he's old enough to have figured things out for himself at this point. He did something rash, not thinking of the consequences and could have killed someone. He's lucky the students on the receiving end of his mirror-toss were okay.
As for the comment Dave has made... It is becoming so easy to blame a person's bad decisions on someone else, i.e. Johnson's parents. Maybe they didn't teach him as they should have, or maybe they did. You are merely assuming and you really don't know. But this comment shows us the mindset that seems to be growing among people. It always has to be someone else's fault. Finger pointing abounds.
BTW, are you a parent? If so and you felt you've gone above and beyond in teaching your kid to a respectful and responsible member of society, and then your child turns around harms someone else due to a bad choice, will you still feel the same way? If you're not a parent, then 'nuff said. With all due respect Dave, I disagree with your statement.
Posted by kathyM on March 24, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that kid, if found guilty, does time. He can sit in his cell and read "Physics for Dummies."
I don't buy the "I didn't think it could hurt anyone" story. He had to have HEARD the kids down below before tossing the mirror.
Edgar Allan Poe gave a name to the thing that entices people to do such crazy stuff: The Imp of the Perverse. Of course the Imp doesn't excuse this dufus, but it's an interesting concept.
Posted by gcrez on March 24, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another classic example of a spoiled CU student. He's probably never had to face the music of his actions. Rich kids usually have their parents cover their butts. Not this time buster!
Posted by gs on March 24, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a wonder that any males live to see 25. Myself included, the capacity for doing stupid things seems unlimited.
Posted by American100 on March 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No wonder my hard working daughter no longer wishes to attend CU.
She's afraid that with the party atmosphere and the bad politics, she won't be taken seriously when it's time to find a job.
Good going CU. You've managed to go from a highly respected university to an embarrassment to Colorado.
Posted by Diff on March 24, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On the TV news they said it could result in a felony charge, plus he might face being tossed out of CU.
Compare that to what the football players got recently after a fight while at a party!
interesting to say the least .. . so would anyone care make a case that there IS NOT special treatment and an eliteist class for Athletes at CU or our universities in general.
At least in the fight there was intent to do harm - I'm not defending what Johnson did - but I'll make a bet the two football player will face less, and not only be students at the school but still on the team come fall.
Sad isn't it?
Posted by Melly on March 24, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Considering that one of the incidents involving the CU football player allegedly started because one of the players got tased, along with the some of them being subjected to racial slurs, and the kid who reacted was charged with a felony, I don't see the "special treatment" at all. Throwing a mirror out of a window in a heavily trafficked area show reckless disregard for the safety of others-- and I really doubt there were mitigating factors other than stupidity. Did the CU football player make a horrible choice? You bet. Will he pay? Absolutely. To say that the Boulder DA's office "favors" football players is about the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard.
Posted by Buff311 on March 24, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Villanova, PA. One of the richest communities in the USA.
I agree with gcrez. The kid is a spoiled brat who doesn't know the true meaning of repurcussions. I went to CU and I was in a fraternity. I swear on my life when I say that all of the crazy and dramatic things that happened in the frat was almost always caused by a rich kid. We lost our charter because a rich kid from California rolled his lifted 4X4 truck in Boulder Canyon and almost killed an entire pledge class. Who do you think paid for that Truck and for the lift on the truck that probably costs more than most cars.
Posted by Diff on March 24, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To say the school does not Favor athletes (and to only a slightly lessor extent so the does Boulder law enforcement from police to the DA's office) is what is ludicrous!
Rape charges - recruiting parties using the service of "escorts" fighting and a number of incidents involving drinking, drining and driving, harassment, and public disturbances over the years - and players still are students and are still players - Oh yeah - they make the school MONEY and are strongly supported by the Alum --
I can not disagree more!
Plus, sounds to me like you are defending fighting as long as you are provoked - That also seem ludicrous to me ...
Posted by AJacksonCountyStar on March 24, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Buff. Did you GRADUATE from CU? Did you take English while in attendance? Your post is a case in point for why young men should spend more time in class than in the fraternity. "Repurcussions" is spelled "repercussions", and "things that happened in the frat was almost..." should be "things that happened in the frat were almost..." "Truck" is not capitalized when it occurs in the middle of a sentence, and a sentence that begins with "who" should most certainly end with a question mark. What would you rather be Buff, rich or smart? I'm embarrassed for CU that you admit to having received an education there. If that's what we can expect from a CU-educated student, I think I'll homeschool my daughter and save a lot of $$$.
Posted by SASQUATCH on March 24, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ethnic Studies major?
Posted by Buff311 on March 24, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AJacksonCountyStar
Why don't you worry about the message written, not the gramatical errors.
Are you an Elementary teacher with nothing better to do than correct people? No probably a rich prick like the kid above.
I swear, people like you are the reason why there is random violence. You just don't know when to keep your stuck up comments to yourself. I was making a general comment geared at nobody in particular and you had to go and get personal. People like you make me sick because you have to hide behind an email to make people feel bad. I will be glad to give you my phone # and address and then we can meet face to face and see what rude remarks you have to say.
Posted by JB on March 24, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Buff-
You just described EVERY frat in EVERY college. I exagerrate slightly, but really. Don't blame the rich kid. Blame the idiotic Greek system.
Posted by Eric on March 24, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO RAMMIES!!!!
Posted by EZBakeOven on March 24, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a dipdong. Indeed, how did this guy get into CU?
Posted by Eric on March 24, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He probably had no option but to go there. CSU and UNC probably shut him down.
Posted by PMSXpress on March 24, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I probably shouldn't admit this, but CU was one of the two colleges I attended. And I was not from a wealthy family. I worked my way though the time there, no help from parents. There were not many rich kids when I was there in the early 80s, none that stood out to me anyway. I know several people with kids attending there presently. Those folks aren't rich either. What is the interpretation of "rich" on this thread I wonder?
JB: Thx for your defense of vaccinations on that other blog. You really hung in there.
Sasquatch: LOL!
Posted by RickyLee on March 24, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW
A bunch of smarties over there at CU.
Posted by Melly on March 24, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There were no rape charges. Allegations, yes. Charges, no. And there's a difference if you care to look it up. In addition, the football team is now coached by a stand-up guy who supports academics and faces the music when his kids exercise poor judgment. I am in no way condoning what Katoa did, but I'm sorry, I don't see the "special treatment" here. Katoa was provoked by some pretty nasty stuff. Compare that with some idiot kid who throws a large glass mirror out of a 13th story window. They're both charged with felonies. Where's the special treatment??? That's what I'm trying to figure out. You think every kid who gets involved in a fight on campus gets charged with a felony? Yeah, probably not.
Posted by HolierThanThou on March 24, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
It's twelve floors up and time to fall.
Shatter on the ground we hope,
Thrown out the window by a dope.
For should it land on someone's head,
The dope shall go to jail instead.
Posted by Diff on March 24, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Melly
Thanks! you help make my point - Allegations = No Charges.
How many times has we heard that in connection with the CU football team or some players (not all) in recent years?
BTW I don't think the players in the recent fight situation or or the kid tossing the mirror should be charged with a felony (unless there are some previous arrests that might make it warranted)
I am primary critical of the School for what it has been allowed to become - a State wide embarrassment! it was once a very well respected collage no so much so these days, and much of that loss of reputation due to this type of thing very often involving athletes!
College athletes are pampered coddled and very protected by most universities and none more so than the Football players!
If you don't KNOW that - then you need some re-education ...
Posted by Diff on March 24, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Melly
Thanks! you help make my point - Allegations = No Charges.
How many times has we heard that in connection with the CU football team or some players (not all) in recent years?
BTW I don't think the players in the recent fight situation or or the kid tossing the mirror should be charged with a felony (unless there are some previous arrests that might make it warranted)
I am primary critical of the School for what it has been allowed to become - a State wide embarrassment! it was once a very well respected college no so much so these days, and much of that loss of reputation due to this type of thing very often involving athletes!
College athletes are pampered coddled and very protected by most universities and none more so than the Football players!
If you don't KNOW that - then you need some re-education ...
Posted by mrNiceGuy on March 24, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Man, that was some mirror. Nearly an inch thick? Wow!
Sorry Haly, if you follow thru and file charges against this guy, he will be graduating from the "school of hard knocks" in an easy three year fed prison stint. Colorado judicial system has vested interest in keeping prisons full = mandatory sentencing.
Posted by goldenz on March 24, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What are the admission standards? And why isn't common sense a requirement to get into college? It is certainly an important life skill. Honesty I don't buy his "I didn't know it would hurt anyone" argument. I think he is too afraid to own up to it. I wonder if marijuana was involved in his decision making process. I hope CU will consider expulsion.
Posted by Melly on March 25, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Diff, football players in Boulder that have gotten into trouble have not been "coddled" by the DA's office, and they have to face judicial affairs just like any other student. I'm in the legal profession, and I do know a little more than you might expect about these situations. I am disappointed that a couple of athletes have recently made some very bad choices; however, the majority of these kids are doing positive things on campus and in the community. And, to my previous point, I am not seeing the special treatment you say is so obvious.
Posted by hdfresh on March 25, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In defense of the 19 year old, it was 2:30am so the chances of somebody below to get hit by the glass is slim. However that does not excuse somebody from throwing furniture out of your 12th story window. Lucky nobody else was hurt and he didn't do this at 11:00am when the campus is crowded.
Posted by AJacksonCountyStar on March 26, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, Buff. Hit an intellectual nerve with you did I? Elementary teacher am I? No, but I am educated. I actually paid my own way through the University of Denver. No rich Daddy, just a lot of determination. I didn't bother with the Greek system. It's nothing more than a four year drunk. But I don't think that money has anything to do with common sense. I'm not sure what your grudge against those with money is (maybe if you got a good education at CU you too would be making good money). Besides, if you read the story carefully, you would know that it was one of Johnson's family members who lives in Villanova, PA. Johnson himself is stated only as living in Boulder. Didn't you live in Boulder at one time? If his family has money, perhaps he would have attended Villanova University.
Hide behind an email? Is there another way to respond to a blog?
P.S. the correct spelling is grammatical, not gramatical, and elementary is not capitalized.
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