Please Read: IMPORTANT

[Q Steph]

Hee is what I received from a friend. Please take the time to carefully read this message and to sign your name at the end of this petition in hopes of ending child abuse.

Body: Do you remember February 1993 when a young 3 yr. old was taken from a Shopping mall in Liverpool, NY by two 10-year-old boys?

Jamie Bulger walked away from his mother for only a second and Jon Venables took his hand and led him out of the mall with his friend Robert Thompson. They took Jamie on a walk for over 2 and a half miles, along the way stopping every now and again to torture the poor little boy who was crying constantly for his mommy.

Finally they stopped at a railway track where they brutally kicked him, threw stones at him, rubbed paint in his eyes and pushed batteries up his anus. It was actually worse than this...

What these two boys did was so horrendous that Jamie's mother was FORBIDDEN to identify his body.

They then left his beaten small body on the tracks so a train could run him over to hide the mess they had created. These two boys, even being boys, understood what they did was wrong, hence trying to make it look like an accident.

This week Lady Justice Butler-Sloss has awarded the two boys anonymity for the rest of their lives when they leave custody with new identities. We cannot let this happen. They will also leave early this year only serving just over half of their sentence. One paper even stated that Robert may go on to a University.

They are getting away with their crime.

They disgustingly and violently took Jamie's life away

- in return they get a new life. Please read it carefully... then add your name at the end... and send it to everyone you can! Please add your name and location to the list and send it to friends and family. Please copy this e-mail (highlight text, right click, copy and paste into a new email) instead of forwarding so we do not get arrows at the beginning of the sentences.

If you are the 500th person to sign, please forward EMAIL this to [email protected] and attention it to Lady Justice Butler-Sloss. Then start the list over again and send to your friends and family.

The Love-Bug virus took less than 72 hours to reach the world. I hope this one does as well. We need to protect our family and friends from creatures like Robert and Jon. One day they may be living next to you and your small children, without your knowledge. If Robert and Jon could be so evil at 10 years old, imagine what they could do as adults!

______________________________________________________

1. Casey Spencer, New Kent, VA

2. Elisabeth Jones, Louisa,VA

3. Jody Rothhaar- Holly ! Grove, VA

4. Jeanette Fusaro ~ Concord, NC

5. Lorraine Wright- Westbury, NY

6. Gary Pid! coe, Leawood, KS.

7. Karol &Michael Walters, St. Louis, MO

8. Robert &Susan Welch, Orlando, FL

9. Lynn Maxcy, Deltona, Fl

10. Jodie Cardinal, Orlando, Fl.

11. Stephanie Strain, Orlando, FL

12. Jean Fuller, Orlando, FL

13. Heather Huber, Altamonte Springs,FL

14. Shannon Finnegan. Orlando. FL

15. Jennifer Ivins, St. Cloud, FL

16. Kris Ivins, St. Cloud, FL

17. Teresa Ciotti, Orlando FL

18. Jill Garcille ~ Baton Rouge,LA

19. Lisa Krueger ~ Crestwood, IL

20. Tiffany Roma ~ Palos Heights, IL

21. Maureen Langer - Lockport, Il

22. Candice Pernell - Broadview, IL

23. Jenoveva Garcia - Romeoville, IL

24. Carol Luna- Chicago, IL

25. Brandy Flores- Chicago, IL

26. melissa sanchez - chgo, il

27. Robert Myers - Harl,TX

28. Jessica Rivera - Harlingen, TX

29. Raquel Hernandez- Los Fresnos, TX

30. Cristina Stratton- Harlin! gen, Tx

31. Dustin Stratton- Harlingen, Tx

32. Sue Ellen Turner- Chesapeake, VA

33. Pau! l Turner- Tavares, FL

34. Diane Turner- Tavares, FL

35. Ralph Esposito- Tavares, FL

36. Bob Esposito- Staten Island, NY

37. Noelle Sarni- Cape May Court House, NJ

38. Amy Barnhart- Linwood, NJ

39. Julie Dugan - Cherry Hill, NJ

40. Theresa Patterson, Hainesport, NJ

41. Brandie Allen- Mt. Laurel, NJ

42. Leslie Chabala- Eastampton, NJ

43. Tiffany Clugsten- Hamilton, NJ

44. Jaime Clugsten - Roebling, NJ

45. Roxanne Sexton- Burlington, NJ

46. Jackie Lotsey, Eastampton, NJ

47. Kelly Brennan, Mt Holly, NJ

48. Shawn Brennan, Mt Holly, NJ

49. Gina Long, Bensalem, PA

50. Cora Lei Nguyen, Burlington, NJ

51. Jodi Evans, Colorado Springs, CO

52. Valeria Quinones, Colorado Springs, CO

53. Bonnie Lewis, Ham Lake, MN

54. Jennifer Eibensteiner, North Oaks,MN

55. Lyn Weihe, Stillwater, MN

56. Dana Schoepke, New Richmond, WI

57. K! aren Russell, Oakdale, MN

58. Natalie Brickey, Lake Elmo, MN

59. Julie Djock, White Bear Lake, MN!

60. Leah Burtzlaff, Minneapolis, MN

61. Sadhna Matai, Paramount, CA

62. Noelle Schmid, Cerritos, CA

63. Marilyn Livote, Buena Park, CA

64. Steven Boyle, San Diego, CA

65. Kathy Koenig, San Diego, CA

66. Barbara Clark, San Diego, CA

68. Melissa Drescher, San Diego, CA

69. Jill Holloway, Olathe KS

70. Carolyn Cantrell, Shawnee, KS

71. Susan Dean, Bonner Springs, KS

72. Antoinette Manza - Blue Springs, MO

73. Christi King - Blue Springs, MO

74. Jonathan Lightfoot -Kansas City, MO

75. Judy Miller- Harrisonville, MO.

76. Dalle Grimes Grandview, MO.

77. Rhonda Grimm Bentonville, AR

78. Carol Owens Bell a Vista, AR

79. Carol Martin Bentonville AR

80. Vicki LeRoy Gravette AR

81. Brenda Hartley Noel, MO

82. Charles Hartley Noel, MO

83. Denise Kreidler Walworth, NY

84. Carl Priest Walworth, NY

85. Amy Wheaton Ro! chester, NY

86. Todd Wheaton Rochester, NY

87. Greg Wood Rochester, NY

88. Sue Wood Rochester, NY

89. Lori Martin Rochester,NY

90. Marti Burnham Rochester, NY

91. Lynne Ford Rochester, NY

92. Mary Kleinhenz Rochester, NY

93. Paul Kleinhenz Rochester, NY

94. Fran Stoneham Rochester, NY

95. Carol Ann Vernetti West Henrietta, NY

96. Melissa Cupp Rochester, NY

97. Kathy Keller, Honeoye, NY

98. Barb Mitchell Lyons, NY

99. Marilyn Frappolli Rochester, NY

100 Sheila Allen Henrietta, New York

101 William Allen Henrietta NY

102 Ryanna Allen Henrietta NY

103 Raelyn Allen Morgantown WV

104 Shelly A. Stroble, Hughesville, PA

105 Loralea Paugh, Collies, WV

106 Joyce Hegedus, Pittsburgh, PA

107 Kathleen W etli, Atlanta, GA

108 Hank Schilder, Providence, Utah

109 Randy Moore, Clifton, Idaho

110 Curtis Reeves, Honey Brook, PA

111 Eileen Clark, Mexico, NY

112 Sheri Guilds, Mexico, NY

113 Andrew Guilds, Mexico, NY

1! 14 Kaycie Guilds, Mexico, NY

115 John MacDonald, Mexico, NY

116 Donna Wilcox, Mexico, NY

117 Ry! an Wilcox, Mexico, NY

118 Julie Restuccio, Oswego, NY

119 Jim Restuccio Oswego,NY

120 Michele Hourigan, Oswego, NY

121 Erica Bardeschewski, Rochester, NY

123 Melissa Gallipeau Rochester, NY

124. Ann G. Cole, Pittsford, NY

125. Tero Cox, Rochester,NY.

126. Shay Cox, Rochester, NY

127. K. Carmon, New York, NY

128. Mary Nunez, New York, NY

129. Sergio Nunez, New York, NY

130. L. Nunez, New York, NY

131. Tanya Morales, Bronx, NY

132. Edgar Callejas, Bronx, NY

133. Jovani Callejas, Bronx, NY

134. Gloria Clemente, Bronx, NY

135. Pablo Clemente, Bronx, NY

136. Monique' Duran, Bronx, NY

137. Jennifer Santiago, Bronx, NY

138. Serena Rodriguez, Bronx, NY

139. Latisha Dechoudens, Bronx, NY

140. Joslyn Deveaux, Brookyln, NY

141. Erin De Veaux, Cathedral City, Ca

142. Beneranda Gonzalez, Joliet, IL

143. Yarissa Diaz. C! hicago, IL

144. Dube Rivota, Franklin Park, IL

145. Chela Rivota-Diaz Northlake, IL

146. E! rica Perez, Chicago,IL

147. Sarah Bruch, Aurora, IL

148. Jennifer Chanilo, Aurora, IL

149. Mariela Cortez, Chicago,IL

150. Marisol Rios, Chicago, I L

151. Hilda Tirado, Chicago IL

152. Wendy Vargas, Chicago, IL

153. Kathleen Pacione, Chicago, IL

154. Maria Marsh, Chicago, IL

155. Jennifer Trinos, Chicago, IL

156. Marquita Carlos, Streamwood, IL

157. Marcelito Carlos- San Diego, CA

158. Brittany Badenoch, Detroit , MI

159. Jessie Dutton, Anchorage, AK/Long Beach, CA

160. Johnny Angel Hernandez, Long Beach, Califas

161. Laura Carrillo, Long Beach, CA

162. Leantony Diaz, Orange City, FL

163. Shaw n Thurley, Rochester, NY

164. Sarah Roncone, Rochester, NY

165. Jessica O'Brien, Rochester, NY

166. Jessica Tyll, Rochester, NY

167. Jamie Livingston, Rochester, NY

168. Erika DiNatale, Rochester, NY

169. Lauren Stoutenburg, R! ochester, NY

170. Jamie Betteridge, Rochester, NY

171. Stephen C. O'Riley, Rochester, NY

172. Rusty Donlon, Rochester, NY

173: Tiffany Mowers, Rochester, NY

174: Zach Kemp...Rochester, NY

175. Chelsea Allen..Dexter, Ny

176. Logan Gundersen...Glen Park, NY

177. Katie Grimshaw, Rochester, NY

178. Brian Diefendorf, Brownville, NY

179. Josh Behm, Potsdam, NY

180. Heather Deyoe, Potsdam, NY

181. Megan Murphy, Boonville, NY

182. Ashley Gorczyca, Glenfield, NY

183. Dustin Pondysh, St. Regis Falls, NY

184. Donna Leahy, Dickinson, NY

185. Tiffany McConnell, Evans Mills, NY

186. Sarah Bartholomew Adams, NY

187. Molly Crissinger Amesbury, MA

188. Sarah Beth Schall- Columbus, OH

189. Brian C. Fife- Columbus, OH

190. Ronnee Davidsen-Columbus, OH

191. Patricia J. Rogers -Columbus, Ohio

192. Rebecca S. Rogers-Columbus, Ohio

193. Denise Stepp - Lovely, KY

194. Mary Horn- Inez, Ky.

195. Marlena Lafferty-Inez, KY

196. Brandon Lafferty-Inez, KY

197. Donna Nichols - Pikeville, KY

198. Donna Isgett, Florence S! C

199. Ron Isgett, Florence, SC

200. Stacey Bullard, Garden City, SC

201. Jason Bullard, Garden City, SC

202. Lisa Youmans, Garden City, SC

203. Pat Gregory, Florence, SC

204. Ray Gregory, Florence, SC

205. Tassy Wofford, Florence, SC

206. Leslie White, Pelzer, Sc

207. Heather Holcombe, Pelzer SC

208. Shelley Dyar Pendleton SC

209. PANSEY GEORGE

210. Sherry Brown Anderson SC

211. Jimmy Brown Anderson SC

212. Alexis Craft Anderson SC

213. Margaret Friend, Anderson SC

214. Jackie Walbridge, Williamston SC

215. Janice Campbell, Honea Path, SC

216. Becky Sanders, Anderson, SC

217. Ton ya Cantrell, Anderson, SC

218. Tessa Crocker, Anderson, SC

219. Christy Jordal, Greenville, SC

220. JJ Jordal, Greenville, SC

221. Courtney C. Driggers, Greenville, SC

222. Bradley Driggers, Greenville, SC

223. Summer Jones, Carolina Beach, NC

224. Tim Kidwell, Carolina Beach, NC

225. Carla Jones, Greenville, SC

226. Sam Jone! s, Greenville, SC

227. Toni Cappella, Greenville, SC

228.Jane Donohue, Greer, SC

229. Regina Kabel, Greer, SC.

230. Bill Kabel, Greer, SC

231. Jane Davis, Greenville, SC

232. Richard Davis, Greenville, SC

233. Frankie Nelson, Greenville, SC

234. Diane Jamison, Simpsonville, SC

235. Melissa Skidmore, Columbus, GA

236. Troy Skidmore, Columbus, GA

237. Debbie Moore,Valley Stream,NY

238. Dirk de Roggenbuke, Aliso Viejo, CA

239. Brendi de Roggenbuke, Aliso Viejo, CA

240. Alexis Reynolds, Aliso Viejo,CA

241. Chris Tadlock, Aliso Viejo, CA

242. Lynn Tadlock, Aliso Viejo, CA

243. Pam Thompson, Missi on Viejo, CA

244. Kevin Thompson, Mission Viejo, CA

245. Cathie Newell, Aliso Viejo , CA

246. Carol Miller, Waterloo, IA

247. Autumn Connot

248. Kim Pedrotti, Ladera Ranch, CA

249. Cathy Recktenwald, CC, NY

250. Angela Downing, Wmsv. NY

251. Tim Downing Wmsv.. NY

252. Vicky Thomas, Houston, Texas

253. Alexandra Thomas, Houston, Texas

254. Cory Thomas, Houston, Texas

255. Jesse Thomas, Houston, Texas

256. Nicole Thomas, Houston, Texas

257. NINA CRAWFORD, ST. PETE BCH, FL.

258. ARTHUR CRAWFORD, ST. PETE BEACH, FL.

259. Carol Macik, Tierra Verde, FL

260. Andrew Macik, Tierra Verde, FL

261. Jerry Billadeau, Cape Coral, FL

262. Cookie Billadeau, Cape Coral, FL

263. Judy Miller, Cape Coral, Fl

264. Kathy Nicholsen, Cape Coral, Fl

265. Pete Nicholsen, Cape Coral., Fl.

266. Sherrill Ray Shaw, Hawthorne, Fl.

267. J Moyer- Gainesville, fL

268. Gi n Moyer----Fl..

269. Joanne Voltaire, Melbourne, Fl.

270. Jim Voltaire, Melbourne, Fl.

271. Carol Erbaugh , Melbourne, FL

272. Jim Erbaugh, Melbourne, FL

273. Phyllis Richardson, MD

274. Amy Greene, WV

275. Natalie Shirley, WV

276. Lisa Hutzler, WV

277. Rayanna M. Miller, Martinsburg, WV

278. Danielle Puller, Bunker Hill, WV

279. Adria L. Myers, Inwood, WV

280. Kelsey A. Reichard, Martinsburg, WV

281. Jill Reichard, North Charleston, SC

282. Paul Reichard, North Charleston, SC

283. Amy Borko, Chicago, IL

284. Heike Regner, Chicago, IL

285. Ray Regner, Chicago, IL

286. Kristie Dye, DeForest, WI

287. Bob Dye, DeForest, WI

288. Jennifer Lewis, Verona, WI

289. Todd Lewis, Verona, WI

290. SueAnne Boyum, Belleville, WI

291. Jeff Boyum, Belleville, WI

292. Michelle Vacha, Barneveld, WI

293. Edward Vacha, Barneveld, WI

294. Scott Leahy, Barneveld, WI

295. Kristin Leahy, Barneveld, WI

296. Rebecca Giebel, Riceville, TN

297. Joseph Giebel, Riceville, TN

298. Kenneth Jungenberg, Sun Prairie, WI

299. Jennifer Jungenberg, Sun Prairie, WI

300. Dione Jungbluth, DeForest, WI

301. Chris Hoskins, DeForest, WI

302. Ronda Wallner, DeForest, WI

303. Dawn Jones, Milwaukee, WI

304. Beth Knepler, Milwaukee,WI

305. Danielle Morris, Clintonville, WI

306. Kristyn Piparo, Oakland, NJ

307. Arlene Williams, Bloomfield, NJ

308. Neel Bhavnani, Manila, Philippines

309. Kusum Tharani, HongKong

310. Sabina Dayaram, Hong Kong

311. Jaina Sadhwani - New York

312. Prakash Sadhwani - New York

313. Lavina Daryanani - Sri Lanka

314. Sonu Vaswani - Hong Kong

315. Anju Vaswani - Jakarta - Indonesia

316. Poppy Vaswani - Jakarta Indonesia

317. Gobind Daryanani - Sri Lanka

318. Manju Vaswani - Hong KOng

319. Venita Mahboobani - Singapore

320. Ravina Dadlani - singapore

321. Marian Santos - Philippines

322. Myra Wassmer - Philippines

323. Carol Eusebio - Philippines

324. Tess Litton - Philippines

325. Annette Aguado - Philippines

326. Mark Suzara - California, USA

327. Sondra Patterson- Fullerton, CA

328. Elizabeth Reina - Buena Park, CA

329. Adrian Martinez - Buena Park, CA

330. Armando Cervantes-Los Angeles, CA

331. Isabel Cervantes-Los Angeles, CA

332. Israel Cervantes-Los Angeles, CA

333. Christina Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

334. Marco Antonio Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

335. Andres Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

336. Sylvia Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

337. Antonia Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

338. Claudia Garcia-Los Angeles, CA

339. Ana Garcia- Los Angeles, CA

340. Darlene Vargas- Los Angeles, CA

341. Yolanda Vargas- Los Angeles, CA

342. Antonio Mejia-Los Angeles, CA

343. Alvaro Mejia-Los Angeles, Ca

344. Eloisa Mejia-Los Angeles, CA

345. Cristobal Mejia-Los Angeles, CA

346. Rosa Garcia- Woodburn, OR

347. Jesrino, Woodburn, OR

348. Enrique Merino, Woodburn, OR

349. Arnulfo Merino, Woodburn OR

350. Erika Rios, Woodburn, OR

351. Christina Rios, Woodburn, OR

352. Jeff Garcia, Burbank, CA

353. Rosalia Garcia- Okland, CA

354. Jose Trinidad Garcia- Oakland, CA

355. Jose Garcia Jr.- Oakland, CA

356. Alejandra Garcia- Oakland, CA

357. Samuel Garcia- Oakland, Ca

358. Arnoldo Garcia- Oakland, CA

359. Sonia Garcia- Oakland, CA

360. JosuGarcia- Okland, CA

361. Steven Mendez- Salem, OR

362. Claudia Mendez- Salem, OR

363. Rafaela Mendez- Los Angeles, CA

364. Salvador Mendez- Los Angeles, CA

365. Jorge Mendez- Los Angeles, CA

366. Petra Martinez- Jalisco, MX

367. Livier Garcia- Jalisco, MX

368. Adilene Garcia- Jalisco, MX

369. Eduardo Garcia, Guadalajara, MX

370. Bernardo Garcial, Guadalajara, MX

371. Yolanda Mejia, Los Angeles, CA

372. Virginia Serrato, Los Angeles, CA

373. Claudia Flowers, Los Angeles, Ca

374. Heidy Bautista, Los Angeles, CA

375. Julie Woe, Los Angeles, CA

376. Maria Barragan, Los Angeles, CA

377. Lisa A. Roberts, Marina Del Rey, Calif

378. Jessamyn Cedillo, Los Angeles, Calif.

379. Cathryne Senescu, Los Angeles, CA

380. Gilbert Nevarez, Los Angeles, CA

381. Vicky Apodaca, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

382. Michelle Torres, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

383. Andrew Apodaca, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

384. Maria Rodriguez, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

385. Gilbert Rodriguez, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

386. Lucy Favela, Covina, CA

387. Jason Rodriguez, Covina, CA

388. Jeronimo Favela, Baldwin Park, CA

389. Martha Favela, Baldwin Park, CA

390. Patricia Olivarez, Azusa, CA

391. Evelyn Rentas, Boston, MA

392.Gabriela Mendez, Boston,MA

393. Douglas Bautista, Boston, MA

394. Billie-Joe Hernandez, Boston, MA

395. Eliane Pinto, Boston, MA

396. David Carpio, Boston, MA

397. Katrina Eagan, Lynn,MA

398. Jessie McElligott , Lynn, MA

399. Amanda Keeler, Lynn, MA

400. Mike Herlihy, Lynn, MA

401. Danny Johnson, Saugus, MA

402. Kara Hoover, Saugus, MA

403. Michelle Smith, Saugus MA

404. Patrik Nelson, Lynn MA

405. Alex Gaudet, Lynn Ma

406. Ryan Burke, Lynn MA

407. Erin O, Lynn, MA

408. Shaun T. Lynn, MA

409. Kevin F. Lynn, MA

410. Ami C. Lynn, MA

411. Missy S. Lynn, MA

412. Dawn P. Marlborough, MA

413. Jonathan Smith, Salem,MA

414. Deneige Smith-Danvers, MA

415. Michelle McDonald-Danvers, MA

416. Anthony Merida-Beverly, MA.

417. Anthony Daviduk- Plaistow, NH

418. Jennifer Regan- Plaistow, NH

419. Mike Giangregorio-Haverhill, MA

420. DAVID CRUZ-SALEM MASS

421. Jennifer Rios- Boston, MA

423.Sunita Williams-Boston,MA

424.Laura Romano-Boston,MA

425. Noemi Gonzalez - Miami, FL

426. Alberto Gonzalez- Miami, FL

427. Millie Villalobos-Miami, FL

428. Maritza and Tyson Allen-Ewa Beach, HI

429. Veronica Guajardo- Homestead, Fl

430. Lissett Lopez - Homestead, FL

431. Michelle Neal - Homestead, FL

432. Melba R. Serna - Oak Grove, KY

433. Missi R. Coronado

434.GEORGE J SERNA- HOMESTEAD, FL.

435.CRYSTAL OLVERA- HOMESTEAD, FL.

436.DIAMOND OLVERA- HOMESTEAD,FL.

437.Edelmiro Esquivel-Homestead,Fl.

438. Lena Meeks - Phoenix, AZ

439.JAckie Fleming-Rochester,n.y.

440.Win Vanderstyne - Rochester, NY

441. Patrick Carden - Mesa Arizona

442. Teighlor Chin - Mesa, Arizona

443. Katie Dalley-Tempe, AZ

444. Casey Robbins - Chandler, AZ

445. Denisse Nolasea- Chandler Az

446. VANESSA CORREA- CHANDLER, AZ

447. Teresa RODRIGUEZ- WHITTIER,C

448. WALDO BINNEMAN-- LONDON. U.K.

449. Grant Davison - Gauteng, SA

450. Bianca zu Bentheim - WP, RSA

451. Martin Barrios - KZN, South Africa

452. Saskia Lilienfeld - CPT South Africa

453. charlotte-cpt south africa

454. Chloe >> Cpt South Africa

455. Kim Lisa- Cape Town ,South Africa

456. Nabeelah Safodien - Cape Town, South Africa

457. Nadiya Khan-New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

458. Samantha Malone->

459. ERICA WOOD- NEW ORLEANS

460. Sarahi Rivera-- NEW ORLEANS

461.Lindsey Pritchett - New Orleans

462. Jacob Owsley-New Orleans

463. Megan Birchard - Covington

463. Ryan Birchard - Covington

464. August Villarrubia- Slidell

465. Lena Wichterich- Baytown, Texas

466. Brooke Vasquez - Sinajana, Guam

467. Courtney Olson- Chula Vista, California

468. Karen Andrews - Sinajana, Guam

469. Tony Andrews - Sinajana, Guam

470. Sherri Adams- Peachtree City, GA

471. Jeremy Adams - Peachtree City, GA

472.Signed

473. Signed

[MarlandRulez]

Why does it say Liverpool, NY? This happened in Liverpool, England.

The thing about this case is, those boys were very young when they murdered that little kid and i think they themselves must have been victims of some serious abuse to do something so inhumane. Do we know anything about their childhoods?

[bellcurve]

Wonder why I haven't seen this on Nancy Grace yet?

[OneLife Fan]

I am appalled!! How tragic!!

[R!ck]

Sadly, the events described are fundamentally true. Ten-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson did, indeed, kidnap James Bulger and are responsible for his brutal torture and death (just weeks shy of James' third birthday). The murder sent a wave of shock and disgust throughout the UK. Despite authorities' attempts to keep publicity on the case to a minimum, the media fed an already hyperactive public rumor mill. While the basic story told above is true, it is peppered with rumors and exaggerations not supported by official accounts.

On February 12, 1993, Venables and Thompson skipped school and went to the Bootle Strand Shopping Centre in Merseyside, U.K. That morning, they attempted to kidnap a two-year-old boy while his mother shopped, only to fail when the mother missed the child and called him back. Undeterred, Venables and and Thompson tried again that afternoon, this time successfully leading James Bulger away from his mother and the shopping centre. They embarked on a two-and-a-half mile trek during which they dropped, kicked and beat the toddler. No fewer than 38 witnesses saw the boys and noticed James' injuries. While some approached the boys to see what was going on, none interceded on James' behalf, being placated by the older boys' assertions that the younger was their brother and they were seeing to his well-being. This lack of action by more than three dozen people would later spark its own media-fueled outrage.

When the three arrived at isolated railway tracks near Walton, Merseyside, Thompson and Venables threw blue modeling paint in Bulger's face and beat him with bricks, stones and a 22 lb iron bar. He was sexually assaulted, but not anally penetrated (official reports claim that batteries were inserted in the boy's mouth, not anus, as the chain letter claims). Venables and Thompson then laid the boy's body across the tracks and weighed his head down with stones in hopes that a train strike would hide the evidence of their actions. James' body was found two days later, having been run over by a train, though pathologists report that the boy was dead long before.

Public outrage at the murder was instant and severe, fed by tabloid media that pushed - and often broke - the law to report details on the case. After the boys' names and mugshots were made public, their families had to be moved to different parts of the country and have their identities changed to protect them from death threats.

During the trial, the boys offered no defense and were subsequently found guilty and sentenced to a young offenders institution. Their sentence was at "Her Majesty's Pleasure" - a British legal term for an indefinite sentence often used as a substitute to life sentencing for minors. The sentence is reviewed by the Government from time-to-time, and the trial judge set the minimum sentence at eight years. It was later increased to ten years on appeal. Then, Home Secretary Michael Howard increased the sentence to 15 years. However, Howard's move was harshly criticized as being politically motivated and was overturned in 1997. In 2000, citing good behavior during their detention, Thompson's and Venables' sentences were reduced by two years, effectively restoring the original eight-year term.

Two possible motivators of the boys' actions were heatedly discussed, both in the courtroom as well as in public discourse and the media: video violence and domestic violence. Venables and Thompson had access to a collection of violent films, though no testimony that the boys had been watching them was presented at their trial. The media, however, printed a list of such films (including Child's Play 3, in which a possessed doll kills children), which they alleged may have motivated the boys and which were subsequently banned and voluntarily removed by several video rental chains.

Both of the killers came from difficult family backgrounds and grew up in a community hard-hit by a floundering economy and sky-high unemployment. Thompson was one of seven children being raised by an alcoholic single mother. The children were brutal to each other, with a history of violence, assault and attempted suicide. Venables' background was less tragic. The boy lived in shared custody of his mother and father, who lived near each other. His two siblings had significant learning disabilities and his mother was severely depressed and suicidal. Jon was hyperactive and was prone to violence.

In June, 2001, after a six-month review of their case, the parole board determined the boys were no longer a public threat and made them eligible for release since their minimum sentence of eight years had expired (the chain letter above appears to be referencing the artificially inflated 15-year term imposed by Howard when it claims that only half of the boys' sentence was served). The boys were released that summer on a life license, which means that, at any point in their lives, if they are determined to be a danger to public safety, they will be returned to incarceration. They were given new identities and relocated to different parts of the country. It was feared at the time that the boys' new identities and locations would soon be become public.

Versions of this e-mail "petition" have been circulating since early 2000, but gained widespread popularity only after the boys' release in 2001, rendering the petition's primary purpose - the prevention of Venables' and Thompson's release - a moot point. In the spring 2005, versions of the chain began alleging that the killers were being relocated Australia (a totally unsubstantiated claim). Another version surfacing in 2005 "Americanized" the tale, incorrectly placing the horrendous events in Liverpool, NY.

[Q Steph]

Thank you, Rick. I got the FWD this weekend and was disgusted. I thought the story was current and circulating the petition would help raise awareness.

I hope their names become public and they truly pay for hurting an innocent boy like that.

[R!ck]

Me too Steph.

They should have been held in either an asylum or prison for life. When I was 10 I sure as hell knew right from wrong.