I know a homeless man named Charles. He sits on a busy street at an intersection, with a sign that asks for help. He is elderly, bright-eyed, soft-spoken, with a good sense of humour and a gentle soul. One day he was reading and some kids drove up, threw something flammable on him, tossed a match and drove away. He had the presence of mind to pull his burning coat up over his head, and got away with some first degree burns and the loss of his monthly medications.

No one saw anything. The police didn't file a report, as technically he hadn't lost any property. A few days after the assault, I had parked my car and gone over to talk to Charles. I saw the huge scorch mark on the pavement. But what really shook me to the core, was wondering about the type of mindset that it takes to actually SET SOME ONE ON FIRE.

On the news right now there are a couple of cases of twisted teenage anger. Now, I know that the vast majority go through this incredibly trying period without resorting to violence. But these two cases have me wondering about the wheels of justice, and how slowly, yet small, they grind.

One case involves a pack of girls who videotaped themselves beating up a classmate for a good half-hour, while a male friend stood look-out outside. They managed to knock the victim out early on, but continued on when she came to. Why? Apparently, the victim had made some nasty remarks about them on the internet. The number of assailants and the fact that she could not get away make kidnapping one of the charges these kids are facing. Which in this case means life in prison.

The other case involves a young man who slashed the neck and then stabbed (twelve times) to death another young man. He then used a hack-saw to remove the head, and a blow-torch to try and burn of the finger prints. Why do we know this? Because the prosecutions star witness STOOD BY AND WATCHED as all this took place.

Even as I typed these crimes in, I felt as if I should have put a warning in the title. I mean, these are truly vile and heinous acts. But I have to wonder whether who will do more time? The witness to the murder, who no doubt has some plea agreement, or the girls who wolf-packed one of their own.