Let these law abiding gun owners go already. These poor children have suffered enough. I mean, all they did was break in to a home and hold people at gunpoint, then proceeded to flee on foot causing a community to lock down and be on high alert until law enforcement captured them. Are you people sick? These are the faces of two innocent boys who have done nothing wrong.

My nephew goes to Deerfield High School and knows both of them. His says Norris was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is not a bad kid. Mahoney on the other hand needs to go to jail - now. He's a scumbag.

How did they ever get their hands on a firearm?

If they were buried deep within 26th and California awaiting trial things would be different. The poor souls would have a Public Defender read their file about 5 minutes before their trial and they would plead guilty to once less charge and do time, learn the prison way of life and probably return to prison once paroled. Something tells me these lucky boys will have a plea deal that prevents them from entering the prison system. A South side African American caught with a gun doing a burglary would do time....a lot of time. The family would be devastated and take the bus once a month to visit their boys. I hope these guys learn a lesson and take advantage of their good fortune and that the justice system watches them closely in Illinois...no Spring Break in Cabo.

Cmann,
Thanks for the advice. After hearing that they stole the firearm, I agree with you. They should be thrown in jail. My only question would be, would it take for them to hurt someone for people to be convinced they shouldn't be in society? If we can't blame them for their actions, then who can we blame?

Steve S. Is that a fact?? I don't think so, especially considering the fact that previous patch articles provided statements MUCH different than this. Get your facts right, or in other words refrain from starting rumors.

RD: yes that is a fact. It was taken from a home on north avenue in Deerfield and has been reported as such. Present the information that show you are correct and I will gladly retract my statement. And if I am right, you can apologize for being a jerk.

To RD, FROM the PATCH IN AUGUST:
According to Wilk, Norris and Mahoney went to a home in the 800 block of North Avenue in Deerfield where they knew the residents, claiming they had left keys there and asked if they could look for them.

“They used a ruse to get into the house,” Wilk said. “They know the family. The gun was taken from the home without the knowledge of the owner.”

At 11:50 a.m. on Aug. 2, Deerfield Police received a call from Highland Park Police Detective Scott Fishman asking for assistance locating Norris. He also asked for help in learning if a gun was missing from a home in the 800 block of North Avenue in Deerfield.

When Deerfield Police were able to talk to the home owner, they were told there was a shotgun in the home and where it could be found. The gun was not there, according to Wilk.

So my apologies, but the rifle/shotgun was clearly not locked up and they knew it, somehow.

Ok cmann, I'll go with your plan A. My only question now is, who should be held responsible once they hurt someone in the future? And, shouldn't we then extend this "courtesy" to all jr home invaders and not just the ones who are privileged?

i'd like to see a ton of hub cap washing on the fire truck and serving the community. i say lets get this reduced so they can get into college. hey at least they did not shoot up deerfield high right?

yet

After stealing a rifle, and committing a home invasion, I tell you right now, no firemen or police ever want these guys anywhere near they're workplace.

These guys are the criminal type that don't abide by gun laws. FOID cards are given to Illinois residents who fit a certain criteria. One being, never convicted of a felony. Don't convict them, they are eligible to own a long gun(which is the one they used in the home invasion) or a handgun when they turn 21. Convict them, legally we keep guns out of their hands until they steal another from a irresponsible gun owner.

For the life of me I can't imagine any mitigating circumstances for anything less than felony conviction and hard time.

I only know one of these kids, and I can assure you that he does not come from a wealthy family. Not every kid in Deerfield is a spoiled brat. This is a family with a modest income and home, and I certainly don't blame them for doing everything to help their son. Rehab and counseling will serve these kids and society better than putting them in jail.

Cmann, you win brother. Let these kids go. Your kinda funny though how you defend potential felons. Maybe that's your job, maybe your connected with the families or the case. It will be sad though if the judge gives these guys less then the 6 year "mandatory" Illinois sentence without probation for any class X felony. I grew up here. I get it. Wink wink. The north shore-Lawyers, guns, and money.

Moe,
Happy that you finally get it. I wish I had clients and relatives more like you.

Cmann,
Good luck with your case. Clients like me are hard to come by cause I never committed home invasion. These boys Sure are lucky that they will probably get what your fighting for them, and fortunate they don't get what they deserve. Happy Holidays!

Norris is a good kid, I dont know why anyone would say otherwise. Although Mahoney sucks, and is a scum bag, he made a mistake and doesn't deserve jail time. He may act tough but isn't really a tough kid. Norris for sure should not face any time, as for Mahoney, id say a year at most.

Cmann, family members, many friends, and I have made many mistakes. We all paid for them one way or another. I will pray for you and your friends. Merry Christmas, and happy New Year!

you all want to make an example of them. if this were first offense in the inner city they probably would get off. there are a million of these crimes in cities. but since we see one and one only yall want to hang em high.

Rich M is an ignorant fool. Enough said.