What Would Possess A Homeless Attack?

As I woke up from daily afternoon nap Monday, a scan of the evening news wires revealed one of the most disturbing stories I have ever read.I read through the story on our website titled "2 Charged With Taped Attack On NJ Homeless Man," and could not believe my eyes as the details poured through screen.

When I write on this website, I am very objective, fair and balanced, but since two youngsters decided to film themselves, I will be a little more candid.

A 20 year old, Taylor Gieresi of Lake Como, and an unidentified 17 year old boy documented themselves in the woods harassing, beating, and flat-out mocking a homeless man.

The victim was helpless as these two went through a series of pranks mixed with physical violence, such as walking away with the man's bike for a moment, pretending to hug him followed by a knee to the stomach, and giving him a "big boot" to the head.

It is pretty much 4 minutes of video that makes you angry, disgusted, confused, and wondering what could possess anybody to decide to carry out such a despicable act.

Reading the news and covering the news every day, I have seen some jaw-dropping and aggravating stories, but not many struck a nerve like this one did.  After I read the story last night, I held on watching the video, which I unfortunately saw this morning.

Giresi was arrested on $60,000 bail, facing charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault, while the 17 year old boy, who served as the videographer and instigator faces a conspiracy charge.

There are reports that these two had gone to this section of the woods to mess with this homeless man before, and I am sure more will come out on this story moving forward.

I am left in wonder of what would possess this attack, and what would possibly possess one to film it?  These two clearly think they are characters on "Jackass" or shows of that vein, but now these two young men will have to face the consequences for this downright heinous act.

While the 20 year old, Giresi carried out the actions, I am hopeful that the legal system does not completely spare the unnamed 17 year old as he kept yelling out different ideas of what to do to this homeless man as he filmed.  One can only hope he gets tried as an adult.

This is a tough story to stomach anytime, but especially during the holiday season.

I will put my faith in the legal system to serve justice to these two young men, who will be subject to a very long future of trying to undo an unthinkable thing and being stupid enough to film it for YouTube.