Police Arrest Teenage Killers of Pizza Delivery Woman

[lindab]

They got those worthless thugs and they are kids! News4Jax story below.

Teens Charged In Slaying Of Pizza Driver
Police Say Delivery Was Ordered To Vacant Apartment

POSTED: Monday, December 7, 2009
UPDATED: 2:57 pm EST December 7, 2009
Murray Hill killing investigated
Police spent much of Saturday in the neighborhood looking for witnesses or other evidence in the slaying of a pizza delivery woman.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police have charged a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 57-year-old woman delivering pizzas to what turned out to what turned out to be a vacant apartment in a Murray Hill neighborhood Friday night.

Police said Sarah Hotham was delivering for Domino's to a small apartment complex in the 1100 block of Comanch Street about 9:30 p.m. when she was shot in the chest. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center.

Police said that a similar incident the night before only blocks away when someone stuck a gun in a pizza delivery man's stomach and demanded money. Police worked through the weekend and came across two teenagers that they said had items on them they believed were taken from Hotham.

Jonathan Hartley, 15, was charged with murder and robbery. Keon Sams, 17, was charged with murder while committing a felony and carrying a concealed firearm.

"Nobody expects, you know, out making a dollar, to get killed on the job," said Clayton Grossi, who live near where the woman was shot.

Police don't know if they are looking for a single gunman or multiple people, but they spent much of Saturday in the neighborhood looking for witnesses and other evidence.

Friends of Hotham described her as a workaholic who was just trying to make ends meet.

"When they told me she passed, I though maybe from a heart attack or something, but never murder," said Mary Frost, who had lived next to Hothan for nine years.

This was Jacksonville's 100th homicide of 2009. Last year, the city had 144 killings.

[reednavy]

Such a shame to be charged so young, but good ridance. They'll likely be charged as adults, hopefully.

[Springfielder]

I would think they should be, and hopefully will be off the streets for good...bottom dwelling thugs. I have absolutely no sympathy for them, too bad they can't face ole' sparky

[reednavy]

Meh, public hanging, firing squad, or stoning would be better, imo.

[Shwaz]

Glad they caught them... the Police haven't had much luck doing that in quite a while.

[Captain Zissou]

I imagine you're trying to tie this to the heated discussion last week about Kiko Battle, when they couldn't be more different situations from each other.  

[sandyshoes]

Sorry, I am unfamiliar with that and not trying to tie to anything.  Just expressing my opinion - this is a forum, and that is what people do in a forum, right?  My beef is how criminals seem more protected than the victims, and yes, I was being sarcastic (poor criminals...good fellows...).  I have no sympathy for those who hurt others, but it seems to get me crucified on this forum when I speak my truth.  Why is that? (and Stephen...I have not yet begun to "rant".  Nor will I.  I've seen some ranting on this forum and it isn't pretty.) 

[Lunican]

Well, the police arrested them, but before we can call for the death penalty there has to be a trial to find out if they are actually guilty. Sorry to disappoint.

[sandyshoes]

I'm not disappointed that they'll get a fair trial, nor did I call for the death penalty. 

[Reaper man]

Such a shame to be charged so young, but good ridance. They'll likely be charged as adults, hopefully.

They are old enough to know what they were doing and the consequences of their actions.  They'll be tried as adults and I hope they rot in prison for it, personally.

[BridgeTroll]

According to the local news... they killed her for... $40 and a pizza...

[Springfielder]

No, I'm the one who made a reference to the death penalty: "I have absolutely no sympathy for them, too bad they can't face ole' sparky"

[JaxNative68]

pretty f'ing sad

[Jaxson]

This is horrible.  I want to think that pizza delivery transactions should be via debit or credit card only.  If the delivery person does not carry cash, this might remove the temptation to rob and/or kill.  I also would not mind if these same establishments deny delivery to areas with high crime rates.  My sympathy goes out to the victim's family.

[cindi]

many of the delivery places do limit where they will or wont deliver to.  it is truly sad. sandyshoes, you are correct, the next thing we will read will be that these boys were "good church going boys" and that it was the delivery persons fault -