danielle
06-22-2002, 07:02 PM
Teenager's life of crime forces his father to give up on him
Suspect in brutal beating, robbery 'shouldn't ever be allowed on streets again'
06/21/02
By WENDY REEVES
Huntsville, Alabama
Kenneth Knabenshue Sr. has been praying for Barry Schrader since the pizza delivery man was brutally beaten and robbed late Tuesday night. But Knabenshue has given up on his son, one of three suspects accused of the crime.
Huntsville police charged Kenneth "Kenny" G. Knabenshue II, 17, with first-degree robbery and attempted murder Wednesday. He's been in state custody since he was 13, his father said.
"I don't feel bad for Kenny at all," Knabenshue said Thursday. "I would cry if he was sentenced to death because he is my son. But if he's capable of doing that, he shouldn't ever be allowed out on the streets again."
Knabenshue said he has "been sick" since he learned of the attack on Schrader, 57, who was in critical condition with two skull fractures at Huntsville Hospital this morning. He was struck in the head with a baseball bat.
"If (Schrader) needs money, I'll send it to him and his family," Knabenshue said. "I'll help him any way I can. But by no means will I help that boy."
His son Kenny had been out of jail less than a week on another first-degree robbery charge. He allegedly helped three others rob the Krystal restaurant on Jordan Lane at gunpoint June 6. He posted a $3,000 bond June 13.
Today, Kenny Knabenshue remained in jail in lieu of bonds totaling $60,000.
Two others were also charged in the attack on Schrader: Billy Joe Hawkins, 16, and Christa June Bott, 17, of 3809-A Westwind Circle. Both remained in jail this morning in lieu of bonds totaling $40,000 each.
If Schrader dies, the teens will face capital murder charges, which carries a punishment of life in prison or death upon conviction.
The teens attacked the pizza delivery man to get a car to get out of town, said Huntsville police Lt. Rex Reynolds of the Major Crimes Unit.
Knabenshue, a self-employed painter, planned to return to work today, but with some dread.
"I just don't know what to say to people," he said.
He said he has tried to talk to his son about learning some type of skill and finding a way to make an honest living. The youth, he said, just stared off into space, "like it didn't matter."
Knabenshue said he last spoke to his son after he was arrested for the Krystal robbery.
"He has no fear," the father said. "It's like you're looking at Charles Manson or something. Kenny has no regrets about anything he's ever done."
Suspect in brutal beating, robbery 'shouldn't ever be allowed on streets again'
06/21/02
By WENDY REEVES
Huntsville, Alabama
Kenneth Knabenshue Sr. has been praying for Barry Schrader since the pizza delivery man was brutally beaten and robbed late Tuesday night. But Knabenshue has given up on his son, one of three suspects accused of the crime.
Huntsville police charged Kenneth "Kenny" G. Knabenshue II, 17, with first-degree robbery and attempted murder Wednesday. He's been in state custody since he was 13, his father said.
"I don't feel bad for Kenny at all," Knabenshue said Thursday. "I would cry if he was sentenced to death because he is my son. But if he's capable of doing that, he shouldn't ever be allowed out on the streets again."
Knabenshue said he has "been sick" since he learned of the attack on Schrader, 57, who was in critical condition with two skull fractures at Huntsville Hospital this morning. He was struck in the head with a baseball bat.
"If (Schrader) needs money, I'll send it to him and his family," Knabenshue said. "I'll help him any way I can. But by no means will I help that boy."
His son Kenny had been out of jail less than a week on another first-degree robbery charge. He allegedly helped three others rob the Krystal restaurant on Jordan Lane at gunpoint June 6. He posted a $3,000 bond June 13.
Today, Kenny Knabenshue remained in jail in lieu of bonds totaling $60,000.
Two others were also charged in the attack on Schrader: Billy Joe Hawkins, 16, and Christa June Bott, 17, of 3809-A Westwind Circle. Both remained in jail this morning in lieu of bonds totaling $40,000 each.
If Schrader dies, the teens will face capital murder charges, which carries a punishment of life in prison or death upon conviction.
The teens attacked the pizza delivery man to get a car to get out of town, said Huntsville police Lt. Rex Reynolds of the Major Crimes Unit.
Knabenshue, a self-employed painter, planned to return to work today, but with some dread.
"I just don't know what to say to people," he said.
He said he has tried to talk to his son about learning some type of skill and finding a way to make an honest living. The youth, he said, just stared off into space, "like it didn't matter."
Knabenshue said he last spoke to his son after he was arrested for the Krystal robbery.
"He has no fear," the father said. "It's like you're looking at Charles Manson or something. Kenny has no regrets about anything he's ever done."