This 19-year-old set the Gash Creek Fire that smoked up Bitterroot Valley, Montana air for about 2 months last summer, and 18! other fires (most of which were quickly put out).
Story in the Missoulian. By Tristan Scott.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
I feel genuine compassion for this guy.
“Warr’s mother, Linda, also took the stand Tuesday, and said Jonah is one of seven children. She also said her son’s personality changed noticeably at the age of 15, when the family’s financial problems forced her to start driving truck with her husband. She noticed her son became much more withdrawn and quiet, but didn’t attribute it to any mental disorders. While his parents were on the road for up to two weeks at a time, the care of Warr was entrusted to his older brothers.”
SEVEN kids…and not enough money for seven kids. “Supervised” by siblings while parents are absent for weeks. Sounds mighty dysfunctional–anyone wonder why the poor guy cried out for attention? So now he sits in jail thanks to a lack of effective parenting and intervention when he needed it.
“Warr also addressed the court and apologized for his actions to the community and to his family. “I knew I needed help, but I didn’t know where to get it,” he said. “I don’t want this to be my life.””
How can you not feel for THAT?
Thanks for the personal information about the case.