12 students accused of city eggings

Group faces fines, jailtime, pending judge’s decision

Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Updated: Friday, February 19, 2010 00:02

Photos by Mia Walters/The News Graphic by Chris Philips/The News

    Eggs: bad for cholesterol and paint jobs.
    Friday, Murray police released the names of 12 suspects accused of egging vehicles throughout Murray.
    The suspects are all Murray State students and included:
    •Kalin Alvey, sophomore from Owensboro, Ky.;             •Autumn Ballard, sophomore from Danville, Ky.;             •James Boles, sophomore from Knottsville, Ky.;             •Rachel Brown, freshman from Hopkinsville, Ky.;
    •Jessica Carr, sophomore from Benton, Ky.;
    •Amity Harris, freshman from Cadiz, Ky.;
    •Madeline Hart, freshman from Lexington, Ky.;
    •Cornelius Hocker, sophomore from Greenville, Ky.;         •Sarah Paul, freshman from Mayfield, Ky.;
    •Susan Roberts, sophomore from Metropolis, Ill.;             •Angelina Romero, sophomore from Brookport, Ill.;           •Shelise Washington, sophomore from Evansville, Ky.
    Although none of the 12 have been charged, police officers have asked all the accused to submit affidavits regarding the ongoing investigation.
    Egging is considered a form of vandalism in Kentucky. According to chapter 525.113 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, “A person is guilty of institutional vandalism when he, because of race color, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, knowingly vandalizes, defaces, damages or desecrates objects defined in KRS 525.110.”
    Sgt. Tracy Guge, public information officer for the Murray police department, said more than 30 vehicles were egged between early October 2009 and Feb. 7. She said hundreds of dollars in damages were reported as results of the egging incidents.
Punishments for the crimes, which a judge will determine, could range from fines or paying restitution for the damages to serving time in jail, Guge said.
    According to criminaldefenselawyer.com, average fines range from $1,500 – 2,500. A person found guilty of vandalism in Kentucky may serve up to 90 days in jail and five years probation. A judge may also order the person to attend anger management classes, as vandalism is often a sign of anger issues.
    Hocker said he has only been informed about paying restitution to the owners of the damaged vehicles.
    He also said he did not always participate in egging vehicles.
    “There were some months when I went out, and there were some months where I didn’t,” Hocker said.
    Eleven of the accused 12 are also involved in music- such as majoring or minoring in music or participating in Racer Band, he said.
    Although there were many hit vehicles throughout town, Hocker said none of them were specifically targeted.
    “It was never a personal vendetta,” Hocker said. “We didn’t know the owners of the vehicle.”
    He said he became involved with egging vehicles when two friends asked him to go out with them one night to a convenience store.
   “It spiraled out of control,” he said. “But I wasn’t the initiator.”
    Hocker said he never egged a vehicle on campus or egg any of the Greek houses, which have been the targets of some egging instances.
    According to the 2008 Crime Report from the Kentucky State Police, 18 percent of property crimes were solved.     The report also stated property crimes outnumbered violent crimes with a 9-to-1 ratio.
    Contact Cash at laura.cash@murraystate.edu.

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Ashley

Mon Feb 22 2010 23:18

I bet none of you would have commented if it wasn' t for this anonymous button. What's done is done.

Anonymous

Mon Feb 22 2010 22:29

My car got egged in october while i was at a party and I was angry but I washed it off and didn't think anything else about it. That is, until i picked up this week's newspaper and the article says they started in October. Thanks to the news I have their names. They're lucky I'm above their immaturity or I would be sending out some hateful messages on facebook. And I want my dollar from the do it yourself carwash back.

Anonymous

Mon Feb 22 2010 12:08

my car did get egged...six times...all I can say is they better be glad the cops caught them before my neighbor and I caught them because we were not amused by the "prank", and could not believe that so called "adults" could think that this was fun. They're "distraction" cost me money for something that had nothing to do with me. Someone else said how would they like it if there stuff was vandilized. So to all of those who felt the need to egg me and everyone else, one final thought...You made your bed, now lie in it...but if I were you, I would sleep with one eye open. c-ya

Anonymous

Mon Feb 22 2010 10:52

They should be kicked out of the university. There is no excuse for stupidity. My boyfirends car got egged twiced. These immature kids need to pay the price and i am not talking about a little slap on the wrist.

Anonymous

Mon Feb 22 2010 09:28

Maybe the music program should be a little more selective in the quality of students they recruit. How many of these folks got scholarships to come here?

My car is not the nicest in the parking lot but I bought it and I try to take care of it. How dare someone to think it is okay for them to damage it because they have nothing better to do with their time. How will you like it if someone damages your things?

With that said I hope law enforcement makes an example out of these students. Maybe they could spend a few weekends and spring break picking up trash and cleaning up the community. Some hard work might give them something to do with their time.

DoMSS

Sun Feb 21 2010 20:03

If a crime is committed then punishment should be served. Restitution for defacing somene elses property is certainly a fair and just punishment. Those whose vehicles were damaged from the so called "pranks" deserve to have them repaired. Thanks to Murray's Police Department for solving this crime. It may turn out to be the best "life lesson" these students learn while attending Murray State University.

Anonymous

Sun Feb 21 2010 19:44

My car got egged. I am glad they got caught my paint was ruined and cost me hundreds of dollars. I never did anything to deserve being attacked. The worst should happen to them for their immature stupidity.

P K

Sat Feb 20 2010 22:46

@ Anonymous - I guess you didn't get caught.

Anonymous

Sat Feb 20 2010 16:27

dry eggs will ruin a finish on the car! So stop the stupidity and quit costing the owners money for the repair. Your parents must be so happy with the education you are getting. they should pull you all home till you are adult enough to be away without a sister.