Want to know what you people think. Remember, this kid just turned 16. This crash happened 2 weeks after he got his license.

My thoughts. I have no idea what would be just. However, sending a 16year old with no criminal history to an adult prison for a minmum of 8.5 years is unthinkable to me. This kid is already punishing himself more than the state could ever punish him. He killed his own cousin in this accident. He will live with this for the rest of his life. I hope that this young person will one day be able to forgive himself.




Teen charged in fatal crash
Prosecutors want the 16-year-old tried as an adult for the crash that killed 3 students.
By TOM ALEX
Register Staff Writer
11/18/2003


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Authorities on Monday filed vehicular homicide charges against a Des Moines high school student who police say was at the wheel of a speeding car that crashed and killed three classmates.

Polk County prosecutors said they want 16-year-old Franklin Sylalom's case tried in adult court. A Dec. 15 hearing is set.

Authorities allege Sylalom unintentionally caused the deaths of three friends when he drove recklessly on Sept. 23 with "willful or wanton disregard for the safety and property of others."

Sylalom is free pending a detention hearing Wednesday, juvenile court spokesman Ed Nahas said.

Sylalom, a Lincoln High School sophomore, was seriously injured in the crash that killed Shawn Baccam, 15, and Nicholas Ounlokham, 15, both sophomores; and Mitchell Baccam, 14, a freshman.

The city hired Hall Engineering Services of Ames to provide a high-tech re-creation of the crash, but officials Monday would not say how fast the car was going when it went out of control and struck a utility pole on the city's south side.

Polk County Attorney John Sarcone declined to disclose the Ames company's findings, saying they are evidence that should not be made public before trial.

Sylalom's attorney, Mark Pennington, said "it's my understanding . . . that there is no evidence of alcohol or drugs or drag racing."

Youths in another car, which was behind Sylalom's, told police it went out of control on Southeast Watrous Avenue near the entrance to Easter Lake. The driver appeared to regain control, and then lost control again on a curve before the crash, which split the car in half. The vehicle's mangled frame landed in a ditch in the 2900 block of Watrous.

The police report says Sylalom's car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it went out of control, left the road and slid sideways on the embankment. The passenger side of the vehicle hit the utility pole broadside, the report concluded. A police officer was notified of the accident at 7:31 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 7:36 p.m.

Officials say Sylalom has no previous record with juvenile court authorities. If the case is moved to adult court, Sylalom would face at least 10 years in prison if convicted.

Ditto what you said. A sentence would compound what'ss already a terrible tragedy.

well i think it is terrible how could they conseive putting him in an adult facility. that is just unspeakable that will ruin his life.

The Iowa Court system needs to come out of the dark ages. Needs to have compasion for their fellow man. They think and react from the dark ages. They do not take each case on an individual basis. In Iowa you are guilty until you can prove yourself innocent.

there's a guy in rockwell for something similar, been in since he was a young teen, too, tried as an adult. he's the sweetest guy...i watch him pull his chair out for his grandma, etc.

sometimes none of it makes sense and it all seems so unjust.

Evy, how long has this young gentleman you mentioned been in and how long before he is out?

i wish i knew more of the particulars. i think he is now in his early twenties, i'm not sure when he is supposed to get out and aaron said he went in when he was 16 or 17 for murder. i'm not sure the details of the "murder," other than "it was a bunch of kids messing around and someone died and they blamed it on him."

i will try to remember to ask aaron more details.

The judicial system sux...always has...always will. It is all a matter of how much $ you can come up with for a good attorney.

I agree...this very young man is suffering like you and I cannot even imagine. He is already doomed. Why put him in an adult prison for punishment he already suffers so tragically in his own heart? All this will do is create a future f---ed up parolee.

What everyone has failed to bring up is the issue of what the parents and siblings feel in this situation. I am a first cousin of one of the boys, but I myself have no stand on what kind of punishment Frank Sylalom should or did receive. But I do know that the parents of Nick, Shawn and Mitchell were quite angry and disappointed with the final sentence of probation. Why my relatives felt the need to stay silent over the matter is not in my comprehension if they wanted a different judgment. I agree Frank's guilt is an extreme punishment in itself. And it wasn't just a cousin he killed. In the structure of Southeast Asian society in Des Moines, Ia-you can be sure these boys and their families were very very close before this accident ever took place. It literally is as if everyone is related in the first place. And in a community of such small acquaintances Frank's family are guilty by association which is something I don't agree with at all. They show up for family events and occasions and are basically ignored. I can never imagine what it would be like for my cousin's family and sitting at the hospital that night I thanked God that it wasn't my brother and even with that thought I felt guilty.

I am sorry for all involved and I agree teens should not go to adult prisons, but we all know know what happens if you drink & drive and someone is killed. I have teens and kids in their 20's & 30's, I preach to them all the time what will happen if they drink & drive and someone is hurt or killed. It's just not worth it.

Buddy

I feel sorry for everyone involved. In a way I don't feel that a "child" should go to adult prison, but yet in others I do. For me, it's hard to explain. If a "child" commits an adult crime, they should be punished. Maybe not for the exact same amt of time as an adult, but they should definitely be punished. I realize this teen is going to suffer for the rest of his life for what has happened. We have to remember that there are adults that have "accidentally" hurt or killed people and they suffer as well for the rest of their lives, but yet are sent to prison to serve sentences. We all know the justice system is not fair. It never will be. That's too bad.
There's a boy in Anamosa that's been there since he was 15 for accidentally killing someone. He's in for life.
I feel bad for the family's that are affected by this and the justice system, but yet the family that has lost loved ones for someone else's carelessness, they deserve justice as well.
Maybe you guys don't agree with me, but that's how I feel.
The thing we have to remember, we don't know all of the details or the circumstances.

My prayers are with both families.