The article I found was quite disturbing. The story was about a man accused of biting out his 4-year old son’s eyes. Angelo Mendoza Sr., 34-years old at the time, for some reason decided to abuse his son Angelo Mendoza Jr. (4 years old). In late April, the child was discovered by a neighbor laying naked on the bloody floor of their Ohio Drive apartment located in Bakersfield, California. The Bakersfield police report quoted the son saying, “My daddy ate my eyes” and “Daddy bit my eyes and hands.” The police stated that Mendoza, the father, was in a wheelchair during the acts because of a spinal cord injury. After he brutalized his son, he rolled out of the apartment and started to hack away his leg with an ax. The police report that Mendoza was showing signs of being under the influence of PCP.
The Kern County Superior Court judge ruled that Angelo Mendoza was not mentally competent for trial. They recommended Mendoza be transferred to a county of state mental health facility. The first doctor to examine him believed that he would be able to stand trial if he stayed on the medication given. Even so, the criminal proceedings have been delayed multiple times because Mendoza Sr. was reportedly in poor medical condition and lacking communication. The charges of mayhem, torture, child cruelty, and inflicting injury on a child had put on hold due to his mental conditions.
The articles for this case were from 2009 (last court date mentioned was Sept. 22nd) and not a lot of information is spoken on the current processes of the trial.
This story is related to the class reading because it shows how the media shows disturbing and terrifying things that they know will draw the public’s attention. Also, this story happened to show how the media constructed CJ ecology is ideal offenders and ideal victims. The story made it seem like the ideal offender is some psycho path on PCP and a victim seem like an innocent child. As stated in the policy reading, “Children are the archetypal innocent victims and key symbols in the media's social construction of crime (206).” Also from this story, I believe that people will see the need for more child protective services, in which the media would impact CJ policy.
I don’t believe that the media tried to make this case entertainment because there haven’t been any new stores about the case since late 2009. It seems as if the case has died. Yes, when the case first came out, it was eye opening to the viewers, but I don’t think that they tried to make it entertainment. If so, they would have tried to blow up the case much/ long as possible. I believe the simple fact that it involved a child and a mentally ill person drew in a lot of viewers. It does help that the crime was done between a father and son which would astonish a lot of people. The people were more worried about the littles boys safety and the mental capacity of the father.
For more information, watch this news video I found:
This is literally one of the most disturbing stories I have ever read. If there was ever a perfect example for crime entertainment, then this is it. This story is jaw-dropping. The fact that someone would do this to their 4 year old son is appauling to me. This is a bombshell for crime in the media that would catch the eye of anybody. I hope this person gets what he deserves.
ReplyDeleteThis is so creepy! I can't imagine having this happen to a child, let alone anyone else. Although the boys father is obviously incompetant, I don't think he should get off the hook by just going to a mental health institution. There needs to be some other form of punishment for his perverse acts.
ReplyDeleteDefinately a psychotic break, whether or not it was caused by PCP use is unclear since the police said that he showed signs of being on the drug but I guess they didn't test him upon his arrest.
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