dang that's crazy! I'm glad he was quickly arrested.

Very, very sad. I don't want to pass judgement, but his nickname is "Hatchet Swingin" and he's a Juggalo (follower of the Insane Clown Posse). There is something to be said for lifestyle choices, and perhaps his upbringing fostered this kind of stuff but, dam.

there's got to be more to this...

the 'Insane clown posse'?.....so much to learn...

ICP fans are trashy. That's about all you need to know about them. This whole incident is just very sad.

You have to be a very damaged person to kill one of your parents. I'm glad to see that they're charging him as an adult. He should be held accountable as one.

What does the music this kid listens to have anything to do with the fact that he killed his father? For all you know the father could have beat the snot out of his son or molested him daily. That house has always been sketchy. To be honest with you, I am not surprised something like that happened there. I drive by that house every day to go home (in that neighborhood) and such shady things go on around that house. No wonder the neighborhood was swarming with police officers this morning. I am glad they found the kid and the body.....eeeesssh. I don't want my children growing up in a neighborhood with crap like this going down.

It's the product sosiety gets now that you took away the belt :) and so forth.

Juggalos don't just view it as music, but a culture. Incidentally, the government actually considers them a "loosely-organized gang". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggalo

I'm not sure how the type of music he listens to is relevant to the matter whatsoever - the fact is, he murdered his father. Regardless of what took place under that roof, regardless of the music he listens to, the type of person he is, or the type of people he hangs out with - he is a murderer. He committed murder. This topic should not be controversial. The point is, he killed his father. Yes, it's sad. Yes, it's horrible. His personal life may have contributed to his decision to do so, but are not to blame for his actions.

I work at a Wawa that the father and son frequented. I spoke with both of them many times and they both seemed happy and normal. They enjoyed talking about old cars and even helped me trouble shoot my old car. The son never showed any ill will towards Bob in front of me. His body language didn't even speak to the rumored abuse. I'm absolutely shocked by what happened and I truly believe something mustve happened last night to trigger the attack. And for the record he didn't exude typical qualities of a Juggalo.

How can he have access to a gun? wasn't it locked up? makes me nervous as I live around the corner in major's Choice

Ashley, I think YOU are the one missing the point. You do not know this boy. He is a teenager. Teenagers often encounter role confusion; they are still trying to find themselves, and the type of person they want to be. He is young, and obviously if you are questioning whether or not he WAS a juggalo, he couldn't have been that seriously involved in their culture, because you cant immediately tell. Serious juggalos are easily distinguishable. If you can't tell whether this boy was or not, he's probably not seriously involved in it.
He killed his father. It was his choice. It's likely there were factors contributing to the murder, but you do not know what they are, so don't even attempt to bring third parties into the scheme of things. You're making it into something it doesn't need to be.

Whether it was a choice made in the spur of the moment or not, he shot his father with a handgun. He chose to pick up the gun. He chose to aim it at his father. He chose to pull the trigger. If it was self defense, it was still a choice that he made, and will evidently live with for the rest of his life. There's nothing else to it.

Thank you Hazzard native He wasn't treated well in the house, I should know I know the family personally! I listen to the same music as he did, Hell, The boy was trying to run away every other week. He couldn't stand being in the same house of his father, because of the way he was treated. You guys don't know the boy, You guys don't know anything about his life, and you guys pass judgement like you know everything. When in reality, You Don't know anything! Shame on you guys for being so bias, closed minded. There's alot more. That even I don't the entire situation, But his music, has nothing to do with that. Or there's be more little boys killing their fathers. Hate to break to you.

The facts will come out soon enough in court (real court not the court of public opinion) If it was an abusive situation I hope the kid gets the help he needs. It might have been a tragic mistake or a perfect storm of events a Unsecured hand gun loose in the house during an argument (Teenagers and parents argue) then panic sets in.
I doubt if he listen to Michael Bauble or Biebs the situation would have turned out any diffrent. Every Generation has music that their parents think is the devil.

Listen ASHLEY. You're missing the point, it doesn't matter if he looks "high" if you met this boy you would know he was a good friend of mine, THANK YOU. You need to just leave it alone, YOU don't know his story, YOU haven't lived his life, and YOU have never met him. Leave him alone and everything will be fine. I'm tired of people judging him because they think they have the right. He's a good kid down the wrong path. I'm tired of looking at people judging him...I'm done here and I hope you all are too.

I need to chill out? It's kind of hard when your best friends picture is on the front page of the Bel Air Patch. He's not a bad kid. His dad abused him SEVERELY. So could you tell me he didn't have a reason to do it? I think not. Don't judge before you know the story, honey.

I know rob personally. We talked all the time and chilled pretty much everyday last year with a group of friends. He is a very nice kid and would do anything for anybody. He has told me and many others that he couldn't stand his father and his father was nothing but a jerk too him. I have met his father before and yes he was mean and did treat rob bad. He tried and tried and tried too get the cops attention an looked for help from everyone and everyone just blew it off like it was no big deal. The coos knee that him and his dad had problems because Rob had called the cops on his dad before. I wish nothing for the best for rob.

Even if he was abused there are places that help. I find it hard to believe that every single person wrote him off. If his dad abused him severely there would have been marks and the police would have done something about it. If his father was just a horrible jerk to him that's still not a reason to kill somebody.

The only time that's EVER acceptable is when your life is imminent danger. Since he had time to ditch the body, and there's a lack of marks on his face, I'd be willing the bet that's not so much the case.

You're absolutely right, I DON'T know his story. I do know the facts though: He shot his father and then dumped him. I don't know any scenario where that is acceptable.

Like I said before, the kid made poor choices. Unfortunately for him and most certainly his father, he has to take responsibility for what he did.

I met Rob when he came to our church a few times. Back then everyone called him Bear. His Dad came to church a few times too. My heart is aching tonight thinking of that boy I met over 3 years ago. He was so sweet and we had some good conversations. This is just tragic. Heartbreaking. I just can't imagine him doing something like this. I do not know the whole story, but I do know that his life has not been easy. My heart goes out to all children who have to deal with so much at such a young age.

He is the product of child abuse from his father. He himself had reported abuse to child services several times and they claimed they didn't have enough evidence. For a child to kill a parent there was obviously abuse going on but no one cared to listen, this was inevitable.

hey evan, how do you know him? How do you know that he reported abuse?

I also know that his mom passed away from cancer when he was quite young. I just can't stop thinking about this. So incredibly sad. My prayers for the family and everyone going through this mourning...

There is always more to a story and when I first read this story I knew there must be more. Well, his relationship with his father is finally over, and his relationship with the court system and a life long battle against his criminal history has just begun.

When are adults going to listen and proactively respond? When the adults won't protect the kids, the kids have to make very difficult survival decisions.

Who cares if he was abused? It's no excuse for murder. I don't care how big a POS his dad was, unless the kid thought he was in imminent danger of being killed, what he did should land him in jail for the rest of his life. Period. There is no gray area. If his dad wasn't attacking him then he is a murderer and I hope he never sees the light of day again. Doesn't matter if he listened to ICP, or if his dad was mean to him, or if everyone gave up on him. These things are no excuse for murder.

According to The Sun http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-ha-killing-20120110,0,2634075.story the cops have been at that house 12 times in the past year but for other stuff not for domestic abuse.

I find it really funny that you all think your opinions matter enough to anyone to post them online. You all look like white trash, judgemental busybodies. :) also, ashley dear... didn't see any credentials listed after your name that denote you being able to declare this child high..... I'm quite sure you might look tired, exhausted, panicked, confused, remorseful, resentful, etc after the kind of day he had but go ahead and keep spreading rumors. <3

No matter what his old man did you can't take into your own terms to kill someone and cover it up. Just leave, get the hell out of the house. I'm sure this kid was no angel and his old man didn't know how to deal with him. He will pay for his mistake. What's next offing your parents for making you do your homework. Need to send the message you can't just kill someone no matter what. It wasent self defence.

send me a link to that police report please, cause i'm pretty sure that his sisters and him never rode a school bus together.

Seriously inthink everyone Kia needs too stop and think. Think about if you were in robs shoes. It's not his fault his mom died when he was at a young age due too cancer.
And it's not his fault that that his dad then turned into an alcoholic and then started getting violent and
Abusive. Those reports for the cops coming there so many times were due too rob calling trying to get his dad in trouble so it would get through too somebody. As far as him trying too hide the body that would be pretty much everyone's instant reaction knowing what you jus done. But Rob is the person that told the police exactly where he had taken his dads body. He didnt lie about anything.!!!!!

Oh he had a mean parent and his mom died, boofawkinhoo! Some of us come up very hard and guess what, we don't kill our fathers.
No excuse for killing anyone, unless, as stated, it was self defense. There is always a way out.

The fact that his dad yelled at him all the time is horrible; but it's a very good reason to tell a priest, a counselor at school, a trusted teacher - anybody that might help. The fact his dad yelled at him is no justification for picking up a gun and killing him. If all of these folks defending this kid knew how bad it was why didn't any of you do something beyond just listening? Anybody could have given this kid a list of contacts including groups that do nothing but help families of alcoholics and followed up to be sure he wasn't left to struggle through this alone. Shame of any adult who knew about this and turned away.

For all of you narrow minded, black and white viewers of the world, my credentials are that I have been paid to ensure people get taken out. So I guess that makes me a murderer too. Oh wait, the US Government paid me to do it, in Afghanistan. So doing it in war still make it murder? No. Yes, what Rob did was wrong, but there are extentuating circumstances in everything. Where were all you people to help Rob when he needed it. Oh, right Nick, you were out fishing, not giving a care about anybody not living in your fantasy world. Until you have walked in a Man's shoes, you cannot speak for him.

Had I known that father was doing that to him, I would first had words with him, and then if it continued, it would have escalated. If need be, I'd have saved the boy by bringing him to live with us. So don't get high and mighty until you have really understood something.

George is basically right. I'd like to know how charging a child as an adult makes any sense at all. He's a child by the definition of the word and he should be treated that way. Nick suggests that he run away. Most abused children have tried and 90% of parricides are abuse cases. If we were really a just society we wouldn't subject children to a catch 22 that requires them to stay with abusive parents, but attempts to hold them accountable as "adults" when they defend themselves.

We'll probably never know all the details in this story. Prosecutors like the one sided version. That's why it is all the more important to get the facts.

http://www.pendulumfoundation.com/parricidefacts.html

FACT: 90% of children who commit parricide are abused. I'm not making it up. My sources are cited. Follow the link.

What exactly is a "man's crime?" There are criminal cases and there are juvenile cases. I'm not aware of any state that defines "man's crime, man's time." I'm sorry that you were treated as an adult. All too often children are punished for guilt by association. What happened to you wasn't right.

You want people to take responsibility. Why don't we have parents take responsibility for their children and if they can't have the state take responsibility for them. I'll wager good money that the state failed to follow up with complaints in this case and now they're trying to sweep it under the rug by sending a child to prison for the rest of his life.

FACT 10% aren't abused.
FACT you have no idea what caused this kid to snap.
FACT murdering someone for any reason is wrong.
FACT there's a whole lot of speculating going on.

I'm not saying that this child shouldn't be held accountable. I'm saying this child should be held accountable as a child, not an adult. Children are simply different from adults both mentally and physically. I don't know what made this child "snap," but as someone who has studied child psychology, I can say that no one "snaps" without reason. Murdering someone is wrong, but most often children in parricide cases don't feel they have any alternative. Is it wrong to defend yourself?

Nobody has said anywhere factually that this is self defense, that is just more speculation.

Sure the teen will be held accountable; but, will the adults be held accountable who did not effectively intervene over the years in this brewing case?? Of course not.

Fine. Let's end the speculation.

1) The FACT that he's being charged with 1st Degree Murder doesn't make him guilty, which you are assuming he is, but the FACT that he's being charged with 1st Degree Murder is indicative of the prosecutor's belief that the child premeditated his act.

2) The FACT that this child is also being charged with 2nd Degree Murder is indicative of the prosecutor's strategy. If he cannot convince a jury that the child premeditated the act, he may be able to convince a jury that it was A) a crime of passion or B) self defense.

If you're old enough to pick up and gun and know how to (with deliberation) pull the trigger you ought to be charged as an adult - to assume otherwise is to change the intent of incarceration. If it's as much about protecting the public as opposed to rehabilitation then that kid would kill you or me just as dead as a 50 year old. The test ought to be "do you want this guy living next door to you" and if you answer no with honesty (most of us would answer no); then don't believe foisting this problem on others is just or fair.

1) A five year old is old enough to deliberately pull a trigger.
2) If it is about protecting the public then we ought to be aware that Stanford University has conducted studies that show that out of 850 lifers who were released less than 1% went back to prison for a new crime and nobody who committed parricide did.
3) This CHILD would be welcome in my home (or next door if he were old enough)
4) Incarcerating someone costs on average $39,000 per year. As taxpayers we foot the bill and the inmate does not contribute to society. If that isn't "foisting the problem" on others, I don't know what is.

Ashley,
On the contrary, there are psychological studies that show teens don't comprehend death the same way that adults do. Moreover, there are neurological studies that show that the pre-frontal cortex of the brain is not fully developed until our late 20s. The pre-frontal cortex governs decision-making behavior.

Karl,
I work with an organization that helps former inmates transition back into society through work release. Some have stayed with me. If the state were willing to cover half the cost of incarceration in order to house child offenders, I would feel more than secure. So thank you for the recommendation.

Giggity,
I'm flattered that you think I know it all, but I've only been doing outreach for juvenile justice reform for three years. I still have a lot to learn and so do you.

Regardless of the various stances that people in this forum love to argue over, the bureaucratic structure in place in Bel Air in Harford County was not proactive enough to intervene on the behalf of a family in trouble.

Furthermore, given cost of the boy's arrest, prosecution and eventual incarceration, he is a virtual resident of mythical the house next door or a teeny, tiny corner of somebody's basement.

Furthe

Ashley,
He may have known it was wrong, but I've known more than one sixteen year old who has justified their actions based on what they've seen on TV or been told by their parents. My father taught me to defend myself from bullies. I never acted on my adrenaline and testosterone infused inclinations, but at 16 I fantasized more than once about taking revenge on some of them without regard to the consequences. Children--adolescents--do that. Its sad when some of them feel compelled to act on those fantasies. But we do more harm then good, by simply trying to categorize a child's actions as "adult" behavior; sweep it under the rug and never change our own behavior in the process.

Giggity,
I was asked for facts. If you prefer black and white moralizing, I'm happy to oblige. Trying children, who by definition aren't adults, as adults is wrong. Its a freakin' double standard of the First Degree.

Giggity,

I understand the law. I'm working to change it. Some of the reasons I'm working to change it are stated above. You know there's another law you should read. Its called the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution. The odd thing about the laws you cite is that 14-year olds can't sit on a jury or vote.

I think its a ridiculous idea, but maybe, if we're so intent on treating children as adults in court, we should let them vote and sit on juries.

What do you think?

I'd like to know how he had easy access to a gun in a volatile household??

Ashley,
I'm in no way trying to give children a free pass. I've stated more than once on this forum that I believe children should be held accountable as children. What that means is that children who are convicted of a serious crime should serve time, but that time should be focused on rehabilitation, not punishment. Vengeance isn't justice.

Giggity,
If what you think isn't germaine, what are you doing on this forum?

If anyone has information pertaining to the richardson family and the accused, please contact Intern Investigator Green through e-mail, jgreen2941@stevenson.edu - I would be happy to hear any or all information related to the case. If you know Mr. Richardson personally I urge you to contact me with information on the family.

Here's an update on the other police calls to Richardson's house:
http://patch.com/A-qdql

Wow...I am AMAZED at the lack of compasion for a 16 year old boy who by all appearances has been abused for YEARS by an alcoholic father. Not one of you internet neanderthals has walked in this youngsters shoes...not one of you went home to this father every single day of your lives. And not one of you knows what happened inside that house yet your all ready to bring out the rope and kick the stool.

Isn't the right Ashley, Nick and Take Responsibility....none of you have even the slightest clue what went on between father and son, yet your ready, in a heartbeat to flip the switch and watch a child fry....and you'd probably find some type of satisfaction in it.....its pretty clear based on your comments.

Ashley,
The kid ran away four times. That's not an indication that he doesn't want to be at home? If he wanted to be at home, don't you think he'd stop running away?

I live in Majors Choice too, so this was a frightening event to say the least...

1) For all of you in this blog that state you are/were good friends of his, did ANY of you ever tell someone what he was saying about his homelife? Was there ever a time when Social Services got involved because his friends spoke up for him?

2) IF it was self-defense, why would he then take the time to transport the body all the way to Aberdeen? I don't dismiss the initial reaction to fight for your life, and would commend him if that was the situation - but the natural reaction would have then be to call 911 (I would hope) - not drag a body (evidenced by the blood pattern on the floor), load it in a car, drive to Aberdeen to dispose of the body, then try to run from the police. This is what disturbs me.

I've talked to people who taught him in school, and my 16-year old son. The only consistency is the talk of abuse at home, after his mother died (he was in the 5th grade). But I have yet to see any mention of getting him help, taking him in, reporting suspicions to the police, or school, who would be obligated BY LAW to report to Social Services. I think this young man was overlooked by the system, and it came to this... Driving past his house every day, it always struck me as a depressing place. Now it's a stark reminder of what can hide behind closed doors.

I pass no judgement, because I do not know the details. But it seems like it was a tragedy waiting to happen...

Here is the truth. After our mom died, dad got lonely, really really lonely. He latched on to Rob like he was the last thing in the world that mattered to him, and he was. Yes they got into arguments, yes those arguments could get verbally violent. There was no physical abuse. All those times he ran away, was because dad told him he couldn't go hang out with a crowd of older people that were just troublemakers. He would sneak out to go be with them. Rob had a real hard time not being able to 'hang out' like a regular teenager. Him and his dad butted heads regularly, this is true, however it was never for a malicious reason. Dad was simply trying to raise an extremely hard headed teenager with pent up anger issues. All of you who are trying to blame one or the other for the incident have never actually been a part of our family, and your speculations are doing more damage to an already f**ked situation.
The only thing rob ever complained to me about was how overprotective he was and how arguments would get to out of hand. Also, Rob was moving out of the house soon to go live with another relative. So those of you who are just posting on here to argue, please take it somewhere else. I miss the man I called dad, and I miss my brother. He handled the situation completely wrong, and now he has to own his consequences. Those of us that are personally involved in this don't even understand how or why this happened, so quit speculating things trying to understand it.

PurpleNeons, your reasoning is, for me, the most lucid and decent comment I have read here. Think we ought to heed the advice of Steve Richardson.

Steve, you are courageous to post on here, and I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family for the difficult weeks and months ahead.

Steve Richardson. thank you so much for your brave comments.....I pray for all involved.....I believe firmly your Dad is in a better place and I hope your brother gets the help he desperately needs....God's Speed to you and all connected to this tragedy.

steve man its rob fleming my thoughts are out to you

Why is everuone from Major's Choice saying this is so frightening, it didn't even happen there. OMGORSH I drive by Moore's Mill rd a lot, I hope a gang of killers doesn't get me. Some of you sound ridiculous!

Yes, it helps me to understand you chicken little types. ;)

This is why we ALL should have guns, so we can stop some maniac out in public, but in this case nothing happened so pull your heads out of the sand and enjoy life, instead of living in fear. Sheesh, if you saw the neighborhoods I invest in and run my business in down on Baltimore, some of you would stroke out.

I met this boy 5 years ago I was his Sunday School Teacher for a short while. Friendly boy who had lost his mother. We called him Bear but a 2 year old put it best when she said "hes not a bear" Ill always remember how that boy wanted a bible of his own to take home. God be with him!

I for one, am not going to pass judgement until we have all the facts. My son is a freshman at CMW (my alma mater as well) however, he didn't know the boy. It just send to me like the system has failed this young boy, as well as the family entirely. You just never know what goes on behind closed doors. In retrospect, it's easy for a lot of us to say "we would have helped" but it's a little too late for that, unfortunately. I am curious as to why he shot his father & moved his body (not to mention how could a young boy move a grownan alone) He told the police where the body was anyway, so why didn't he just leave him. Was he trying to cover it up? Or did leaving his fathers body at a relatives house speak bigger volumes? I am sure we will all find out eventually. This whole story is very unfortunate all the way around.