Where did Sir Mario go wrong?
By Julie Hutchinson, Special to the Rocky
Originally published 09:00 p.m., May 20, 2008
Updated 11:07 a.m., May 21, 2008
Sir Mario Owens was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder in May.
Owens Family
Convicted killer Sir Mario Owens is shown in his first-grade school picture.
Owens Family
Sir Mario Owens, front, with his mother, Monica; father Derrick; and his brother, Sir Derrius, in the 1980s.
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In his first-grade picture from Lakeshore Elementary School in Shreveport, La., the little boy wears a coat and tie, dress pants and a smile.
In his Colorado Department of Corrections picture from Canon City, the 23-year-old man wears prison gray and a sullen expression.
What happened to Sir Mario Owens in between?
That is something Owens' mother, 47-year-old Monica Owens, of Aurora, and his grandmother, 70-year-old Princy Lewis, of Shreveport, have had plenty of time to contemplate from their front-row seats in an Arapahoe County District courtroom.
The pair rarely have missed a proceeding since the trial charging Sir Mario with the 2005 murders of two young people began early in April.
On May 14, a 12-person jury found him guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Javad Marshall-Fields and his fiancee, Vivian Wolfe, both 22.
Prosecutors said Owens killed Marshall-Fields because he was slated to testify against Owens in connection with the 2004 murder of Gregory Vann.
Owens has been serving life without parole since last year for the murder of Vann, a friend of Marshall-Fields, in a fight at an Aurora park.
On Tuesday, jurors found that the murders of Marshall-Fields and Wolfe were so heinous that they met death penalty criteria, so Owens potentially could get death. Defense lawyers will attempt to present mitigating factors today.
"Everybody's heart is broken," said Monica Owens, referring to the extended Owens family in Shreveport, which includes a cousin who is a police officer and another cousin just commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. Sir Mario's older brother, Sir Derrius, is a Federal Express employee in Shreveport and a new father who put his wife through nursing school.
Mario and his brother both are named "Sir," his mother said, because she loves English literature and was fascinated by the life of Sir Walter Raleigh, the English writer and explorer.
The Owens' family life gives no clue as to why its son, grandson, nephew, cousin and brother ended up convicted of murdering three people.
"When he was a boy, Mario was pretty quiet," his mother said. "He played well by himself. Liked anything with motors, just like his dad."
Struggled in school
But Mario never was much of a student, his mother said.
"Paying attention in school was a problem at that time," she said. "He struggled later, but the teachers all told us it's definitely not that he's not capable."
Mario participated in sports, played bass drum in the school marching band and idolized basketball star Michael Jordan. He played video games, but not excessively.
Shaking her head slowly, Monica Owens searches her memory.
"Everything was typical. He was a very loyal and loving child. He always had his own personality from a baby on. He would be the best type of friend you should have. He's not a faker at all."
On the surface, his family shows no pattern of the fractured relationships, criminal histories, drug abuse or unemployment that often lead to trouble.
"We don't go to jail like that," Monica Owens said. "I've never been arrested. My husband's never been arrested. Mario's brother's never been arrested. It's not anything you can say you know would happen."
She and her husband, Derrick Owens, were high school sweethearts and married in 1981. Monica Owens graduated with a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Wylie College in Marshall, Texas.
While she pursued her career, Sir Mario and Sir Derrius were cared for by their grandmother until they were old enough to attend day care. The Owens family attended church regularly, and Monica Owens served as youth director.
"That's one thing I'm glad of the most," she said. "He was raised in a Christian home and knows how to ask God for forgiveness."
Move to Denver
Monica Owens brought her husband and two sons to Denver about nine years ago when she was offered a management job with Denver Health after working 15 years in human resources for the city of Shreveport.
The Owens family never had lived anywhere but Shreveport, and the move represented a big change, she said.
"We had a family meeting," she said. "Everybody was OK with it but Mario."
Even though the move "was a good move career-wise for me," Monica Owens said, Sir Mario never "really got used to being here."
He was 14 when the family arrived, she said, and she sent him to Shreveport to visit his cousins for every vacation, at his request.
"I don't think he ever got over not wanting to move to Denver," she said.
Sir Mario quit Overland High School in Aurora in 2002. Monica Owens said he was not involved in gangs, though Arapahoe County investigators said a gang known as Gangster Disciples was behind the killings of Marshall-Fields and Wolfe.
"Gangs were not a major concern when he was growing up," Monica Owens said of her son. "There were gangs, but Sir Mario was his own person. People with a strong will don't like gangs."
When Sir Mario was arrested in 2005 for the murders of Marshall-Fields and Wolfe, police said he had an extensive criminal history for crimes including manufacturing and possession of drugs.
Monica Owens now works as a contract administrator for the state of Colorado. Her husband is only able to work at temporary jobs because of the emotional strain of her son's legal proceedings, she said.
The family is deeply religious, and she said "pure faith, family and friends" give her the fortitude to carry on. Ironically, Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she worships every Sunday, stands about a block from the Aurora intersection where Marshall-Fields and Wolfe were ambushed and killed.
Owens hinted she believes her son may have been framed for the most recent murders, and that the murder of Vann was not premeditated but a terrible, spur-of-the-moment decision.
"As far as I'm concerned, he pleaded not guilty," Owens said. "People have guns. It's for your own protection. It's not as though you're going to do anything . . . it could have been very different. It could have been my son that was killed."
It's about family
Owens and her husband live in a spotless two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in Aurora, about a 15-minute drive from the Arapahoe County Detention Center, where they travel three times a week for a 30-minute visit with Sir Mario.
"That's what we are about - family. Period," Monica Owens said. "I love him. He knows I love him. I've always loved him."
Owens said she took pride in providing nice clothing for her son to wear at his recent trial.
"You're still a mother," she said. "That's something he should have. And it gives me a chance now to dress him how I want to dress him."
Turning the pages of her worn, leather-covered Bible, Monica Owens said she tries not to think too much about a death penalty conviction.
"I'd rather see him today than focus on what's to come," she said. "He's still where I'm able to tell him I love him and go visit."
She said she is only too aware that other families suffered terrible losses. But she wonders if anyone realizes that the death penalty will take away another son.
"I feel bad for everyone who's lost their loved ones," she said. "I feel just as bad. I feel like I've lost mine, too."
Owens emphasizes that she makes no excuses for Sir Mario, and that, in the end, her faith is her final comfort.
"The bottom line is, God is going to judge each and every one of us," she said. "That's where my justice comes in."
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May 21, 2008
3:17 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
This guy will never be able to harm another person again.Why did he kill these two people because they were going to send him to prison for life.He murdered three people and now the family whines and moans at how he is a good person.What is sad not interviewing the families of the true victims.No one forced him to join a gang and murder three people.If he had known right from wrong then he would not be on trial.My thoughts and prayers go out to the true victims.Not this little gang banger who murdered three people in cold blood.Hope he enjoys shower time in prison and the lovely time in the yard.As for his family he is not innocent.He participated in the murder of three people.Count your blessing's he did not murder you.How did you improve his life,or the community you moved into.By raising this murderng piece of scum.Because you failed somewhere along the way.Also how dare you have the nerve to blame the police or the criminal justice system.If there was true justice they would strap him into old smokey and throw the switch and problem solved.
May 21, 2008
6:25 a.m.
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longpasttime writes:
"I feel bad for everyone who's lost their loved ones," she said. "I feel just as bad. I feel like I've lost mine, too."
Ah, but you haven't lost him - at least not yet. You can still go visit him in prison and see him and talk to him and bring him gifts. Your son did not afford his victims' families those same simple pleasures, now did he?
He should be given the same sentence they received from him.
May 21, 2008
7:04 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
Sorry RMN, you're not going to drum up sympathy for a murderer, just because he's facing the death penalty. He killed 3 people with the same lack of remorse as Nathan Dunlap. But don't worry, he'll still out live most of us.
May 21, 2008
7:08 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Ah happymike, nice to sit in judgment isn't it. To be sure that you can tell what happened in every way and to be so secure in that perfect knowledge that you can not only judge Sir Mario but his family as well. No one is asking you to have sympathy for him, probably you are not capable of that emotion. My experience with self righteous preachers like you is that they are not really capable of thinking of any one but themselves. But the Owens family are real people who will feel real pain and loss if the state premeditatedly and cold bloodedly kills him.(you apparently only disapprove of cold blooded killing when you do not get a say in it) I acknowledge your right to have an opinion on the death penalty in this case but to minimize and judge the grief of this family is as emotionless as anyone you criticize.
May 21, 2008
7:42 a.m.
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joeblow writes:
Happy and buck....You two write as if it were a perfect world, that good trumps bad every time and place. Were that true, both of you would be the paragons of perfection that you seem to think everyone should be.
It's not a perfect world and the fact that this horrid person, mario owens (lower case) remains alive, just galls you.
It's incontrovertible that he's a monster and more than likely will remain that way until he dies. But what does killing him do for YOU? Nothing.
Death penalty advocates like to think that state-sponsored retribution is the perfect answer for human stains like owens.
You want punishment? Keep him locked up for 23 and a half hours a day for his earthly eternity. From his vantage point, he'll never hear a bird sing, a cat meow, a baby cry, never kiss a woman. His life is over and it'll be like that every single moment of his life. Isn't that enough?
You two are pretty predictable. Your answers will be "NO".
May 21, 2008
7:43 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
For some, convicting the man and sending him to death row isn't enough. Now they want to go after his mom. The dude who did the deed will spend the rest of his life in a box. Try letting your anger go now.
Parents don't always have control over what their kids do. You think the parents of the guy who shot up New Life Church wanted him to go do that? Personally, I believe their religion is a lot of hooey but I still feel sympathy for them. It's a terrible thing to live with.
From reading this article, it seems to me that Sir Mario Owens went running with an angry crowd. He was with a lot of people who have a nasty habit of egging each other on to commit crimes.
Leave his mother to her lamentations. She was only trying to do her job and raise her boy. Things did not turn out the way she wanted.
I believe the intent behind the article is not sympathy. It's worth reading because it may provide insight for others in similar situations. Knowing what Mrs. Owens now knows may help them.
May 21, 2008
7:46 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
Answer to headline; When he violently killed multiple persons.
I Agree with Buckwheat and others, this man murdered several times. He should feel lucky to have the chance to end it before prison justice does it for him.
May 21, 2008
7:47 a.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Nice to see the reporters at RMN's love to take a person who had caused so much pain and misery and make a lovey dovey story about him and his family?
Where is the story about all the hell this man left in his wake? Maybe those article don't help push the leftest agenda of the RMN?
May 21, 2008
8 a.m.
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steel writes:
Let's see if this jury has the intestinal fortitude to put him to death. Or is this one packed with bleeding hearts like most?
May 21, 2008
8 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
I really would rather that this guy not get the death penality. Far better that he get life with out parole. In addition, he is the type that I suggest that we send to Texas. Apparently some of those prisons are making 3rd world country prisons look like a hilton.
May 21, 2008
8:02 a.m.
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davies writes:
Well this story certainly dispelled a lot of assumptions that I made about the guy's probable family situation. I would have been a lot more comfortable attributing his criminal behaviors to the typical single parent/absent or negligent parenting model. I think the family probably does deserve some sympathy or at least empathy. It looks like they made at least an average effort at raising the kid right, and deserved a better outcome.
As for Sir Mario, all the more reason for society to direct all of its contempt solely in his direction.
May 21, 2008
8:04 a.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
windbourn... do you know how much money it takes to keep a man on Death Row? I do not wish to continue helping this man stay alive. Save us some tax money and get rid of him. He has no regard for human life... why should we his?
May 21, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Marine, if money is the issue, a life sentence saves money. When you factor in the attorneys fees, court time etc. for a death penalty case,( especially this one, where there is fair chance we will get to do it again due to judge errors) letting Owens plead for life would have literally saved tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars. I do not claim that money is the sole issue, but you raised it.
May 21, 2008
8:27 a.m.
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dcolon47 writes:
There is always a weed in the nicest lawn. This family seems according to the reporting, that they are very nice people, but let us not forget what this weed has done.
May 21, 2008
8:31 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
By the way Marine, you are on here everyday. How could you have missed the literally dozens of stories about the families of the victims and them speaking about their loss? The idea that the RMN has ignored that side is preposterous. Every media outlet in town has had multiple interviews with the victim's families and they have a press conference at every stage of the proceedings. They have been on the front page of the RMN at least a dozen times. Their side has been told and retold. All this story does is point out that another family has been destroyed by all this as well. But then again, do not let the facts interfere with your political attacks.
May 21, 2008
8:51 a.m.
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blacksho89 writes:
Where did Owens go wrong? Drugs, obviously. Followed by the lure of easy money.
I am sorry for the families of Gregory Vann, Javad Marshall-Fields, and Vivian Wolfe. I am also sorry for Monica Owens and the rest of her family, and for Owens himself. He has taken his life and wasted it.
Society demands justice for the taking of human life, and if any crime deserves the death penalty, the crime of killing a witness qualifies. But I urge instead a sentence of life without parole. Death will not bring back the victims.
May 21, 2008
9:08 a.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Your 1st Point Buff... please provide your data. As your the one who responded!
2nd. Where have you seen an article on the after math of this mans actions. Again, please provide data, if possible.
May 21, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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primafacie writes:
This has been the most covered murder story since Cain and Abel. Is it finally over now?
But the lesson for all of us is clear: Don't name your kid "Sir."
May 21, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
joe
Gee you got me pegged. Yep the answer is NO,Hell No. This guy will get 3hots and a cot for the rest of his life. Do they still offer Cable in jail. Ever hear of conjugal (sp)visits? Right, there are freedoms he will not see again. But he'll have the freedom to breath, freedom to speak to his family, freedom to appeal. Heck of alot more than he afforded his victims. What would I get out of this? The satisfaction that just spending the rest of your life in prison isn't the only punishment you can recieve for taking another's life. Not much of a deterent for those already serving then would it be? Oh, and I get to foot the bill for his care the rest of his life. I'am not that eager to see someone loose their life, but I do and always believe that in certain cases it should be an option and that all due process should be taken beforehand.
May 21, 2008
9:32 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
I do feel sorry for his Mother since it does sound like they did the best to raise their son to be a good person but as we all know sometimes the kids goes the other way. We all know of that uncle or aunt in the family that cant hold a job, gets arrested and is always in some sort of trouble.
I dont buy the excuse that he was framed though since im sure he had opprotunities to give up the actual people or information leading to the arrest of the person responsible if he didnt do it.
The only true victims in this story are the ones that were killed not the one in jail.
May 21, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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rmnreader writes:
I hope they give this guy the death penalty - life in prison is too good for him. He took lives he deserves to have his taken as well. Yes if given life he gives up a lot of comforts and freedom but he still gets to have the opportunity to have a life - a luxery his victims do not have.
I feel for the family though - sometimes you do the best you can and they still turn out rotton.
May 21, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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davies writes:
Buckwheat: In Colorado prisons, three hot meals yes, cable TV yes, but conjugal visits no - not even for minimum security inmates.
May 21, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
buffsblg....your heart bleeds so.....
This worthless piece of s--t deserves the fireing squad.
That'd be just desserts. You whine about "sir" mario's family but fail to mention the families of the victims. Typical leftie bleeding-heart. You make me want to puke.
May 21, 2008
10:56 a.m.
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EP writes:
Then puke
May 21, 2008
11:03 a.m.
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ColetteDD2 writes:
Sir Mario's victims include his own family. A good family as the article shows - loving, committed, hard working, educated and church going. They lost thier son, brother and nephew right in front of thier eyes. A betrayal and anguish I can't imagine nor would wish on my worst enemy. Thier good charachter and committment again demonstrated by thier love, support and keeping the "I'll love you no matter what you do" promise almost all parents make. This despite knowing the losses and wounds Sir Mario inflicted - an ultimate test of that promise his family has passed with flying colors. They are in my prayers.
Colette, Denver, CO
May 21, 2008
11:03 a.m.
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ruralamerica writes:
When you kill people, you should die. The problem with our system is he may not die even after given the death penalty. He will probably go on for years and years watching TV in his suite as we pay out $35K per year per con to keep him away from society. We need a system improvement that expedites the process of delivering what the jury and the people want and quit screwing around giving these guys a free fun trip.
They never care about the families or loved ones of the victims. The sad part is an article as above shows that the family wasn't aware of the killer in their midst. They would have him out killing more people if they had their way. He was such a good boy. He just was sad over the move to Denver.
Glad the Jury saw it correctly!
May 21, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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snap1066 writes:
What primafacie said.
May 21, 2008
11:14 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
davies
Thank you, I stand corrected.
May 21, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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Rangerjoe1 writes:
This is classic Rocky Mt. News. I'm suprised they didn't say he was not aware a bullet would come out of the end of the gun, so show some compassion. The victums BE DAMNED.
May 21, 2008
11:21 a.m.
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Scott writes:
The question I have is, "Who are the libs going to blame for Mario Owens becoming a murder?" Assuming that RMN reported honestly, the Owens family sounds like the All American Family. All of the other members in the family are loving, law abiding and productive citizens.
The only thing worse that busting your hump to raise your kid and then seeing them turn out bad is to suffer the pain of having an innocent member of your family murdered by a piece of garbage. Fry Mario Owens!
Scott
May 21, 2008
11:27 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Nice to see your standard level of discussion rickylee, moronic personal insults. I defy you to see one word in support of Owens in anything I have posted. You cannot even bother to read before you spout off. I pointed out that another family, his own, was destroyed by his actions. That does not in any way justify his acts. Your hatred overwhelms your admittedly limited rationality.Your intestinal upset is more likely related to your alcohol intake, which appears to start early in the day.
Here is your link Marine on the financial costs. Again this is not the only consideration. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/artic...
As to the coverage of the effects, a simple search on the RMN website finds 65 articles about this case including coverage of the funerals, statements by the family, comments by the DA why the death penalty is justified, comments by the family about why the death penalty is justified and an entire multi-page feature article on the killing of witnesses, highlighting this case. The idea that the coverage of this case has somehow focused on sympathy for the defendant is simply factually incorrect.
May 21, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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gr8fuldude writes:
"where did Sir Mario go wrong?"
I would say starting off with a room-temperature IQ and an unwillingness to accept responsibility for any of his actions were an excellent start to where he is today.
May 21, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
notchase
The public has no say on the death penalty in this case. That is up to only the 12 persons on that jury and they have been told by the court not to read any articles about the case. If the RMN intended to sway the decision, they needed to run this BEFORE the jury was selected. Instead the pretrial publicity was pretty much 100% focused on the victims. If the RMN is trying to affect the trial they must really be stupid. Get off your conspiracy theories.
May 21, 2008
11:44 a.m.
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Beverley writes:
This mother's comments should be instructive to all parents. It is fairly clear that she is making excuses about her worthless progeny and obviously did not make him take responsibility for his behavior as he was growing up. Lady, your son IS guilty!
The real shame is that two families who did do an admirable job raising their kids have lost them because of your lack of parenting. Yikes, you need a license to have a dog, but anybody can have a child.
(Also, so much for the "bad childhood" defense)
May 21, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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buffsblg writes:
I would ask how you know these things beverly? Yes the mother is defending her son now, what mother would not? But for how she raised him, we cannot know if she was overly permissive of if that had anything to do with this tragedy. Nine years later, do we really know why Harris and Klebold, who came from stable middle class suburban homes did what they did. it is easy from the outside to make judgments, but human behavior is more complicated than just good folks raise good kids.
May 21, 2008
12:04 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"Where is the story about all the hell this man left in his wake? Maybe those article don't help push the leftest agenda of the RMN?"
as someone else said, you're on here every day grump. don't pretend you didn't see these:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
heres's the families:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
and you can feel free to do the search on the rocky for the rest you missed -- including the amazing features done after the murders on the two of them.
or maybe you didn't, and like many on here that is your problem when complaining about what you think is and isn't news, and what deserves coverage and what doesnt.
this is an important angle in a huge story. why wouldn't you want to hear the side of his parents on where they might or might not have failed. as someone else said on here, they assumed he was from a broken home and taht would have explained it...
but that isn't the case here, which makes it newsworthy.
as for drumming up support for the guy, or even sympathy? i don't think that is anyone's agenda... rather, it is to merely paint the guy as something more than just the killer we all know about. if you have sympathy for him, then taht is your deal from the story -- not the rmn's.
May 21, 2008
12:04 p.m.
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breckrider writes:
it's whiteys fault. adn can i help inject the drugs on his execution day.
May 21, 2008
12:06 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
and chase, why do you even read this paper if you constantly disagree with EVERYTHING YOU READ ON HERE.
really, you think you could find a better way to spend your time. but i guess if you don't, then that says a lot about you.
May 21, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
great comments, btw, buffs.
you are spot-on on this thread.
May 21, 2008
12:30 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Where did Sir Mario go wrong ? Who really knows, he may not even know. It may take time for him to back track his life. Not having a father in the home is a major factor. His mother shouldn't be blamed for his way of life. A mom can do her best that she can and still be damned if you do damned if you don't.
May 21, 2008
12:43 p.m.
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jeremynix writes:
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. How can the parents act like they did not know anything about their sons troubles? according to them, they had no idea of anything he was doing? Where is the article about the VICTIM's lives? Who cares where this murdering SOB went to elementary school.
May 21, 2008
12:43 p.m.
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justaHB writes:
Looking from outside you're a great Country, definitely the justice system never will be perfect anyplace, however you have one of the best in the World, be sure. As a specie the human beings we have to look every day to improve the ways to live in peace. Fortunately you have no problems with a "basic" issues like find something to eat or find some place to sleep, pray to find the way to use your freedom responsably, that's the gift of your History, that's the reason of the fight of all your heroes fighting for you. Stories like this tragedy invite to make a pause and think. How we can build a better world? How I can honour the top position of the animal kingdom? How I can be close to God intentions to send me here?
Just breath deeply and have no place to rage. It's hard to forgive the slain of a beloved one, but beleive me it's possible.
May 21, 2008
12:44 p.m.
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Scott writes:
roni248,
You are mistaken regarding Owens' father. From the article, "On the surface, his family shows no pattern of the fractured relationships, criminal histories, drug abuse or unemployment that often lead to trouble.". So it appears that the Owens family has always been intact. I agree with the rest of your comments. See also my previous posting.
I'm still waiting for the libs to blame someone/thing for Mario Owens. Oops! No apparent "evil white male" for the libs to automatically blame. Too bad ... NOT!
Scott
May 21, 2008
12:50 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Hey B...
You think any of those article generated as much heat as the ones with our Star Gangsta' here? Why were they not front page? Where was the hype? Three stories about the family and how many for him? Your so good at looking this stuff...
Did I hurt you little liberal feeler this morning with my comment?
May 21, 2008
12:59 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Fry him
May 21, 2008
1:10 p.m.
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BMat writes:
I still find it hard to believe that they actually caught this scum-bag.
How long has Darrent Williams mom had to wait to find out who shot her son dead in the middle of a Denver street? Not one arrest in that low profile crime.
But the RMN waists ink and paper on a human interest story about a convicted triple murderer?
Boo-hoo-hoo . . .This kid isn't worth the orange jump suit and cheap flip flops the taxpayers (you and me) bought for him.
May 21, 2008
1:28 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"You think any of those article generated as much heat as the ones with our Star Gangsta' here?"
what do you mean by heat? if by that you mean the peanut gallery here commenting? if so, i could care less about taht.
"Why were they not front page?"
many, if not most of those were front page articles. vivian wolfe and Rhonda fields have been on the cover of both dailies (and several suburban dailies) many times about their story (and the legislatioin their son/daughter's case helped to spawn regarding witness protection). i think that's plenty of heat generated, when yo9u can get lawmakers on both sides of the isle to agree to a law....
"Where was the hype?"
this is one of the most 'hyped' murder cases in metro history.
"Three stories about the family and how many for him?"
again bud, those were what i was able to pull up in 10 seconds with a search. they were in no way representative of the vast amount of stories on those two, their families and what this prick's murrdering has brought about.
"Your so good at looking this stuff..."
you can be too.
and you didn't hurt my feelers. it honesltly just seemed out of character for you to make the comment you did. you seem like a rather astute reader of the paper and i would have figured you would have remebered all of the stories over the past few years of this case as, most can agree, it has been extremely high profile.
May 21, 2008
1:50 p.m.
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windbourne writes:
>do you know how much money it takes to keep a man on Death Row? I do not wish to continue helping this man stay alive. Save us some tax money and get rid of him. He has no regard for human life... why should we his?
Grunt, I never suggested that this guy should be on death row. You do by wanting a death penalty. He will be there for 15-20 years and death row is fairly decent (ran the way that we use to run prisons).
I would rather that he get life in prison and be transfered to the Texas prisons. The simple fact is, that death penalty does NOT stop these kind of ppl. But if they know that they are going to hell on earth, they may think about it again (though not likely). BTW, as far as costs go, putting somebody on death row and processing them, will take more money than giving them life with others like themselves.
May 21, 2008
1:50 p.m.
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nonayerbsns writes:
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ROCKY???? Who cares what this murdering ba4tard's mother thinks and feels? I am more concerned (as should we all be) with the VICTIM'S parents!!!! Fry this a$$hole, quickly!
May 21, 2008
1:52 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
I will agree.. you got me here! Uncle.
I did not see those article and their side was given airtime.
I stand corrected...
May 21, 2008
2:16 p.m.
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xocyn writes:
This a sad story and a stupid, STUPID choice this guy made. But in the end karma is what will get you. I don't think he should get the death penalty, he just should stay alive. I personally think it's more of a punishment having to live the rest of your life like a caged animal and think about what you did everyday. If they give him the death penalty he knows one day he won't have to wake up in the cage that he is in now.
May 21, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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RBN writes:
I think they (Rocky and News in general)needed to show this article to let people know that it was not his mothers fault, let the public know that this was senseless and how today's youth is in completely off the hinges when it comes to reality. This is just another case of a suburban youth getting caught up in all the hype about being hard and being a thug. He went to Overland!!! He is a lame as excuse for a petty criminal and he should find his way to death...and fast. Mark my words, this is just a start of a trend, I feel sorry for all the kids who will look at this and not see a murder, but a guy who was doing "whatever it took". This will be a sad summer for Denver.
May 21, 2008
3:43 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Marine, if you discuss this rationally and make concessions when appropriate, how will be all be able to yell and scream like we want. This case raises vast emotions for good reasons and for someone like me involved in the system, the killing of witnesses strikes against the very heart of the system. The fact that the victims seem to be such good people also hits hard. I have my concerns about the death penalty and how it is administered in this county (for example 9 innocent men recently released from death row in one year in Texas) but this case concerns me.
May 21, 2008
4:06 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
jude! u made me laugh again! I noticed that "odd" hand too!
but seriously, I'm not one of those rootin tootin give the chair type of guys and I usally op for life in prision becuase that's worse in my opinon but not in this case. The reason why is becuase he murdered a witness and who knows what or how many ties this guy has-he could try and give orders from jail or presuade other inmates to follow him and do somthing similar..anything is possible with any murderer but the nature of this case in specific makes it more of a factor
May 21, 2008
4:10 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
and buffsblg your point about the 9 innocent men on death row dismantels my position. I really am on the fence again...I don't think he is innocent but I might not have thought those 9 men were either...good point
May 21, 2008
4:48 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Hey Buffsbig
If your so sure he is innocent,then maybe you wouldn't mind if he came to your house for dinner.Even better yet my mom used to say put your money where your mouth is.I also want you to know me a little better.I have these feelings when my best friend in 5th grade was attacked and left for dead in his own home.The boy next door was strangled in his own bed and died from his injuries.Sorry it has tainted my view of murdering scum.Myself I have been targeted twice by thieving muggers.I am a deaf man who was targeted for my weakness.The guy took my watch and wallet.I was lucky I was able to get the car door open and my service dog stopped him from injuring or murdering me.So I am a person who was shown no mercy on 2 occasions.They could have picked anyone.But they picked me so I am lucky to be here and since this occurred I had to move so I would feel safe.Also went out and bought a gun for that reason.Because I can't just dial the phone for help.It would take me way long to tdd for help.Supposeyou believe deaf or handicap people have no right to protect themselves.So if putting these guys to death saves more lives so be it.As for the mother of this guy.I am sorry for what happened,but she is getting to see her son.Those kid's parents will never see them again.They loved their children and deserved to see them grow up and have families.That is a dream that will not happen,that is the tragedy in this story.Not this dirtbag,get the picture.
May 21, 2008
4:55 p.m.
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jvb writes:
Too bad they don't allow quartering before administering a chemical injection so he doesn't have to suffer. Those who side with the murderer should be chemically injected so they can all go together.
May 21, 2008
5:05 p.m.
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Scott writes:
jvb,
YES! Actually perform the entire ritual execution of a "Traitor's Death". The movie Braveheart pretty much summed it up. Mined you, there are variations on the administration of a Traitor's Death, but the got the jist of it.
Scott
May 21, 2008
5:15 p.m.
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BillDeville writes:
Too bad the RMN can't show the crime scene photos of this grisly murder. Sir Mario Owens opened up on Marshall-Fields & Wolfe with such lethal force and such fire power that they were literally blown into the back seat of the car they were in. This was a calculated assassination...period! And what for? Because Marshall-Fields happened to witness an earlier murder and had the integrity and courage to testify...and Wolfe was sadly by his side when were both gunned down in cold blood. In Owens world, you snitch, you die. And now he wants to be shown mercy.
May 21, 2008
5:18 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
mike, where did he say owens was innocent? all he is saying is he is against state-sponsored retribution killings (re: the death penalty). he even admits the guy is a POS, but that doesn't mean we should kill him...
it's a moral issue here, of course, but one he has some good points in. why are we against killing in one instance, but for it when it fits our form of justice? and yes, it is WAY more expensive to put someone on death row than life in prison. thats a really good point for those of you who are fiscally concerned with every govt action....
the only other point he was making is that, regardless of what her son did, this mother is grieving for what was once her little boy and is now a convicted killer. and he's right, you can't argue that. and does she have a right to feel that way? sure she does, regardles of what you heartlessly might think.
and we get it. you are deaf. you got pulled over once and you got hassled with your dad in the car. you don't need to bring that story up every time you make a point about whatever it is you make your point about -- you seem to be able to massage that story to fit whatever it is you are against.
what does this have to do with the deaf or handicap?? why must you always flip it that way?
try, for once, making a point that doesn't come back to your unique and individual situation....
May 21, 2008
5:19 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
where, anywhere in here, are people siding with the murderer? can someone please point that out to me?
and being against the death penalty does not put someone on his side. i just means they don't think killing him is the appropriate punishment.
May 21, 2008
5:21 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"So if putting these guys to death saves more lives so be it."
how does it save more lives than keeping him incarcerated until he dies? it certainly doesn't save more money....
it's been proven that the death penalty is not a deterrent for crimes like this, so that can't be your reason. unless you are unreasonable.
which wouldn't surprise me.
May 21, 2008
6:25 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Ms. Owens, it took a lot of courage for you to come forward and candidly open up to the world; I believe you are fully aware of the barrage of painful comments you'd face. Your a lot like my own mother; she was a God fearing woman who once held some of the highest security clearances given by the federal government. My mother recieved many citations of achievement with the military as a civilian employee. My mother also suffered the grave embarassment of having a totally criminal son , me. To society, if two caskets are not enough pain for you, perhaps three will satisfy your sanguinary desire for justice. Seems the further we travel down the blood soaked road of justice you so desire, the further we evolve into a more violent society. Many of us do not cry for your sons blood Ms. Owens; but as a citizen of America whose opinion is in the minority, the majority will soil us in it anyway. Two caskets are more than enough for me to grasp the severity of this tragedy. The man who took my sons life lives in prison, I didn't want to soil my sons memory, nor do I want to be standing before God with his blood on me. No price he could possibly pay will fill the hole in my heart. Ms. Owens you have a lot of courage to face the public openly; some of us pray for three mothers.
May 21, 2008
6:35 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Scott,
My bad..I apologize..I assumed the father wasn't in his life..that 'sometimes ' is a contributing factor. Then sometimes both parent are in the home and things go bad, like the parents of Harris & Klebold... Then there's the kid from Co Springs, both parents were in the home and the kid shot up the people at the church. It's a real sad and tragic situation for all these parents, everyone lost a child.
May 21, 2008
6:37 p.m.
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MrPeabody writes:
I used to be for the death penalty but have mostly turned against it after seeing case after case across the country of innocent people convicted. However, in this case I believe that it is justified. Killing a witness undercuts the entire justice system and must be dealt with in the most severe manner. Marshall-Fields attempted to do the right thing and paid with his life. Wolfe died because she was with him. They were innocent and Owens is the one responsible and the one who made the decision(s) that put himself in this position.
Killing a witness is an extension of that gang culture of "no snitching" and youth today need to hear the message that if you commit a murder and then even attempt to kill a witness, that is the worst thing you can do in the eyes of our society.
I won't pile on to Owens' family, as they too, were wounded very badly by what happened. My reading of his mother's quotes suggests that she is still in denial over his horrendous acts. It can't be easy for any mother in that situation.
May 21, 2008
6:40 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
I do stand up for lethal injection for the new law many wish to pass. Lethal injection for those who with DNA evidence being collaborated with other clearly convincing evidence, who rape children under the age of 12. Even I am not totally against the death penalty. I can forgive a murderer, child rapist are very difficult, if not impossible, for me to forgive as they are never cured and only return back to society to hurt more children. Even I have an affinity for blood when it come to a small child.
May 21, 2008
8:25 p.m.
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Mike846 writes:
If this paper didn't have a Sports Section and columnists I like, I wouldn't spend a dime on it. As it is, I try to pick one up at McDonalds that someone else has already purchased. Tripe like this article, editorials that push a "progessive" agenda, and almost a complete blackout on the words "illegal" and "immigrant" being used in the same article make me sick. And you wonder why your circulation is down. You don't get it. Mike
May 21, 2008
9:38 p.m.
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bbylstr writes:
The attitudes of the various people who seem to spend a lot of time posting comments concerning this case is one of the most disturbing things about views on both sides of the fence in this horrendous case. These same attitudes seem to be indicative of mainstream America and are the root cause of the detriment of our society. Our country (our world for that matter) is in serious peril. I fear that our society is self destructing due to the demoralization of our society and the lack of respect for each other and plain old values (opening doors for elders and women, yes sir/mam; no sir/mam, etc). There is a universal lack of respect for each other and life in general. Young people are not taught self respect let alone respect for others. Our political leaders did away with prayer in school; teachers can't discipline kids without reprisal. We as a people have become so liberal in our views that we have lost the foundation and principles our country has stood for for so long and the main reasons our country WAS so greatly revered around the world. Our country was founded "Under GOD" yet we can't even pray in public. The most important thing is that lives have been needlessly lost and families left with scars that will never heal. Sir Mario is a distant relative and let me say the HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS. However, it is not up to you nor me to say what should happen.
OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED "UNDER GOD" YET WE CAN'T EVEN PRAY IN PUBLIC. PEOPLE WAKE UP, FIND GOD, SAVE YOURSELF, SAVE YOUR FAMILY, AND HELP SAVE THE WORLD COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY. AMERICA, IF WE DON'T TURN TO GOD FOR HELP AND HEALING THINGS WILL NEVER GET ANY BETTER AND WILL MOST DEFINITELY GET WORSE. THERE IS GOOD AND BAD IN ALL OF US!! THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU, ME AND A MURDERER OR RAPIST IS: WHICH DO WE CHOOSE TO EMBRACE? THE GOOD OR THE BAD?
If you believe in GOD AND If you read the Bible, you know the world is headed for even more trying times than we are experiencing. Things that are happening today around the world were foretold long ago. The only way to be prepared for things about to come is to confess your sins and ask forgiveness and be baptized.
I am not what you non Christians call a "bible thumper" ! I have only been saved for a short while and I don't have all the answers. I do however know how to get them. I can give concrete evidence of how GOD has moved in my life over and over again!! It is when we don't listen when things start to go bad for us. GOD is a loving GOD and will protect, empower, build-up anyone who is willing to receive him. You are the only one who can invite him into your life; it can only be done while you still have breath.
May 21, 2008
10:31 p.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
Who cares where he went wrong? Based on the above article he was given reasonable guidance and every opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way.
I don't care what motivates the Islamofacists as they are cutting my head off with a dull knife nor do I care what sent Sir Murderer into his rage. I want them both making road base in Alaska or dead.
May 21, 2008
11:01 p.m.
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Darwin writes:
May 20,2008 RMN. "The jury convicted Sablan this month of first-degree murder for the 1999 death of Joey Estrella, his cellmate.
Prosecutors said that Sablan choked Estrella with a headphone cord until he became unconscious, then sat by as his cousin and cellmate, William Sablan, cut Estrella's neck with a razor. The cousins then cut open Estrella's abdomen and removed his organs before guards noticed what was happening."
Execute Owens or not, I'll let others decide that. Just don't say that with him serving a life sentence he can't kill someone else. The above article shows differently. But than again, the shive may be found in him.
May 22, 2008
1:26 a.m.
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longpasttime writes:
There are those who say they have concerns about the death penalty and how it is meted out and the costs involved. I share those concerns. It has been proven that sometimes the wrong man is convicted. However, when there is no doubt as to the guilt of the accused, I have no qualms about carrying out capital punishment. Sure,swift, and final execution guarantees one thing - there will not be a repetition of the crime for which he is guilty!
If a "life sentence" TRULY meant life in prison, then by all means, keep him in prison until his hair turns gray and falls out. But, with appeals, shyster lawyers with their endless drivel about procedural mistakes, passage of time and fading of memory from the public conciousness, prison escapes, early release, errors by clerks that allow prisoners to just walk out of jail, and other miscues, lifers seldom serve their sentence out in full. Execution ensures that this does not happen.
May 22, 2008
5:01 a.m.
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gwats writes:
Maybe mom should have actually spent time RAISING this little monster instead of sticking her head up his a**. If you are not going to RAISE THEM, THEN DON'T HAVE THEM. A motivated young mother of ANY color can be an incredible force in child's life. You have to be engaged and responsible. You are No.1 in your babie's lives. YOUR baby murdered two people @ the start of their adult lives. Death is less than what he rally deserves but it is the harshest penalty for what he did. Mother of the year? I think not. Total denial? getting warmer.
May 22, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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rg writes:
Many years ago, Robert Thiret sexually molested a 3-year-old and dumped her in an out-house in the mountains. Her cry was heard by somebody passing by. Thiret received, like less than five years in prison. The death penalty would prevent him from doing it again. Perhaps he has done it again since a pedophile is incurable. As for Sir, the topic herein:
Prisons are overcrowded. Put Sir in prison and he may kill again; death will deter such a happenstance. I say: Kill a killer. Richard Grimes, deicide.
Deicide Corner: It appears that McCain's spiritual advisor, Rod Parsley, is far worse than the denounced Obama spiritual advisor, Jeremiah Wright. May the sword of time, deicide, kill all gods sending them to Mythology Cemetery.
May 22, 2008
6:41 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
RG, Robert Thiret recieved 10 years for what he did to little Lori Poland; of that he served 6 years. Two factors contributed to this light sentence. One was a prosecutor wanting to spare this little girl the scars of a trial as Thiret had Daddy Warbucks hire a power attorney who was determined to take the case to trial. Secondly, it was his father's wealth that got him the light sentence as he secured top legal counsel. If you look at the sex offenders who commit these heinious crimes against our children, many you'll notice recieve probation on thier first offense. When Thiret was released, Daddy Warbucks spirited him out of state immediately. A murderer has a very low recividism rate of repeating thier crime unless of course he's a serial killer. Murderers back in my day could expect parole after serving 10 years because as a group as a whole they rarely reoffend with another homicide. I'll take, and I have had, many murderers as my cell partners in the time I served. A sex offender is totally different; a sex offender is incurable and commits one of the most despicable crimes when his victim is a child. He's much like a burglar, if he did one and got caught, usually there are many more victims unaccounted for. He is lowest scum in prison. Sir Mario on the other hand won't face much retribution in prison for killing the witnesses against him; quite the contrary, he has proven himself worthy of a greater respect amongst convicts for taking them out. Every convict wishes he'd have killed the witnesses against him; they don't because of a fear of facing even worse reprecussions from the system. It's sad, but that is generally the established pecking order as established in prison. Whereas the child rapist has no honor in or out of prison. Sir Mario has done something most convicts can only talk about; he followed thru on his threats and that gives him a degree of creditability amongst other convicts. I don't like this, but that's the way it is in this world. I know because I lived as a criminal many years before I bowed my knee to God and changed. Execution days in the Florida State prison were nothing nice; it's but a distant memory now, but still a memory you never forget. Believe me when I tell you the murderer is usually somebody who generally speaking rarely reoffends with another homicide. I couldn't tell you why but what I'd be guessing. In Florida, many held high positions of trust, after the had been there for awhile, as the warden would carefully screen them to work in higher positions within the prison. At Raiford, the Inmate Fire Squad was one of the best in the state, earning much respect. A lot of those guys were lifers. A sex offender was never given the same respect. Murderers as a whole are not usually problem inmates for the warden to deal with. However, yes, there will always be the exception. Sir Mario's crime is to political for him to be able to secure any position of honor with the warden.
May 23, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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rg writes:
Man O Man, Louie, Louie: You post a memorable comment. At times, I have saved Old Grouch's comments, et al; I will save yours. You make this blog worthwhile. Richard Grimes, deicide: The sword of time that slays all gods. You don't need god to become a stellar citizen: ffrf.org. http://www.geocities.com/r22037/think...
Deicide Corner: “Give me truth; cheat me by no illusion.” -- Margaret Fuller