What is your first reaction to this story?

Police arrest Mastic man in plot to burn sex offenders alive


(09/20/06) RIVERHEAD – Prosecutors say a would-be arsonist had his own violent plan to ensure four convicted sex offenders got out of a Mastic neighborhood.
Mastic resident Donald Keegan, 36, is accused of hatching a plot to torch the sex offenders while they slept. Prosecutors say Keegan targeted the home at 115 Eleanor Avenue, which is being rented to the four individuals. The house recently made headlines when residents held protests in an attempt to get the sex offenders out of their neighborhood. The four individuals were ordered to move out because they live near a community center.

Investigators say Keegan planned to break a window in the house, then throw some type of accelerant in the residence to burn it down. Prosecutors told members of the media their case is strengthened by phone taps and surveillance video of Keegan formulating the plan. Keegan is being held on $1 million cash bail or $2 million bond.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

i'm shocked...violence is not the way to seek revenge...and they were ordered to move.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

I understand not wanting sex offensers in your neighborhood, but he's just as sick if he wants to burn people alive

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

While I can emphasize with his very passionate feelings on the issue, violence is not the answer. Not only is it illegal, it's immoral. They were already slated to be removed from that property. If he had started the fire, more than just the immediate occupants would have been affected; maybe a firefighter could have been injured, etc.?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

You have to let Justice run its course and not take it in your own hands. Even though those 4 individuals are a menace to children and society in general, it's really not to this person to decide what should be done. And how is he any better if he's also considering comitting a crime? Mind you, I don't agree with these sexual offenders at all..on the contrary, I think laws should be tougher for them but if everyone was to take the laws into their own hands...then what kind of society are we going to live in? JMO though....

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

first reaction = do it!

second reaction (about 1 second later) = it's a bit extreme and nobody deserves to die that way unless they are in prison and society has decided they should be put away for life

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

I do NOT agree with Vigilante justice.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

As I was always told... "Two wrongs do NOT make a right"

Also, what about any innocent people that could be at the house, surrounding houses, etc.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

first reaction: he's sick to want to burn someone alive; let the courts deal with the sc*m.

second reaction: however if those offenders had harmed one of MY babies - there's no telling what lengths i'd go to!

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Posted by MrsERod

second reaction: however if those offenders had harmed one of MY babies - there's no telling what lengths i'd go to!

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Posted by eroxgirl

Posted by MrsERod

second reaction: however if those offenders had harmed one of MY babies - there's no telling what lengths i'd go to!

I think that's different altogether. I wouldn't fault a mother taking justice in her own hands AT ALL That's your baby! You do what you have to do!

But just an average citizen deciding he's judge and jury - no that's wrong and like others said, there's no telling how many innocent people you can hurt in the process.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Posted by JenniferEver



I understand not wanting sex offensers in your neighborhood, but he's just as sick if he wants to burn people alive

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Okay initial reaction - DO IT. However, it is wrong and immoral. Not to mention the fact that other people could get hurt, like firemen, police officers and neighbors. I do not condone sex offenders and believe they should all be placed on a deserted island never to see another human being again, but vigilance is not the way to go.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

I CAN DEFINIETELY UNDERSTAND HIS REASONING

BUT ITS THE WRONG WAY TO GO

HOWEVER I DO THINK SEX OFFENDORS SHOULD BE CASTRATED

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

It makes you wonder about this guy. Many of us had an initial reaction of "do it!" but re-thought it later. He must have had enough time to rethink this and kept planning and scheming anyway. That's one angry person.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Posted by JenniferEver



I understand not wanting sex offensers in your neighborhood, but he's just as sick if he wants to burn people alive

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Posted by JenniferEver



I understand not wanting sex offensers in your neighborhood, but he's just as sick if he wants to burn people alive

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

My first reaction:
He's going to "F" up a truly VALUABLE & IMPORTANT piece of legislation (Meghan's Law). While they don't advocate vigilante justice, I believe the location of sex offenders is critical information that needs to be made public.

Second reaction:
The judge should hand down the sentence that they all should be put together in a pen & burned. The sick guy that wants his own brand of justice & the despicable sex offenders who should never see the light of day to begin with.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

Listen- I have no sympathy for sex offenders. I'm a parent of a 7 year old, and I would have a huge problem if they were living so close to me. I wouldn't do something stupid like lighting them on fire, but I would approach them and words would be exchanged.

FYI- A good friend of mine who was doing some time had a sex offender put in his cell. As soon as he found out what he was in for. He went up to the offender, and bit his ear off. He got a couple of extra months added onto his sentence. They are not tolerated in jail.

Message edited 9/20/2006 3:25:20 PM.

Re: What is your first reaction to this story?

He's nuts...Then again I live across the hwy from that neighborhood so