Reader comments
Duchesne man charged with family abuse 'as bad as it gets'

Robert | 12:32 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Let me have him for a week...

suze | 2:01 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

This makes me sick....women and children get out of these situations, don't ever wait 17 years, there are so many people who will help you. This monster should be locked up until he dies, which will hopefully be soon.

Rick | 2:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

I was dating a girl in North Creek New York with an abusive dad. Her younger brother finally blasted him into hell with a shot gun. He was around 10 I think. The dad was a monster.

Comments continue below

circus | 3:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

the man is guilty and disovers everi things that the courts will give him

Gut wrenching behavior. | 3:50 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Hopefully this man never gets released before trial and placed in the prison among the general prison population. They really don't like child molesters and will give him a taste of his own medicine.

I usually don't get judgmental but this time there is no doubt this man deserves the same treatment.

Didn't neighbors the schools know what was going on and help this family?

Bob | 6:39 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

He should just be shot or stoned to death. No need for jail.

Good old Utah | 6:40 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

So the woman has the courage to hit him with a 2X4, but not report any of this abuse since 92? And she is allowed to walk away?? Why is it our system needs to find these women as the pure victim, she had every obligation to seek protection for those children that he has! She needs to be held every bit accountable for this abuse as he is now being held to! Afraid or not! This remedy only perpetuates another problem where in the woman has now been absolved of all wrong doing on her part, and allowed complete control to reintroduce these poor children into another identical situation! This woman has the right to self protection, but the OBLIGATION to protect these children. She was no better at protecting these children than he, she shouldn't get the "mother pass", she should be held accountable as well. When are we going to begin as a society to call a spade a spade and protect our children???

nottyou | 6:43 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

How 'bout a picture of this whack-job so I can show my kids what a monster looks like?

George | 6:52 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Not to minimize what this monster did, but just what is the matter with the mother that she did nothing for 17 years?? Is she so stupid that she does not know there is help available?? Where are her brothers and or father that would let this happen? This guy should go to prison for a long long time for his role, she should be charged with criminal negligence for failing to report!

A-Turner | 7:28 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Wow, this is heart wrenching. What a monster. I hope that he gets locked up for the maximum allowed. I don't see how this man will ever be at a point where he won't beat another person. Sad.

Joseph | 8:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

WHAT A POOR PATHETIC LOSER THIS GUY IS!!

Give him | 8:17 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Prison for life. With occasional beatings and rationed food.

Anonymous | 8:45 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

How can a person endure such action for so long. Didn't the childrens teachers notice that there was something wrong, or did they home school the children?

Behind Bars | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Give him life. No parole.

Cosmo | 9:20 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

I know no one wants to hear it, and it will fall on deaf ears, within government/law; but this guy should either be condemmed to life without parole, or death. He will never change, and he will become worse, if he is not stopped now, and forever.

mortified | 9:36 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

How can no one in the community know this is happening. I feel sad for the kids, what will they ever be? He should be treated like he treated them, times 10.

coffeegirl | 10:11 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

I am a former victim of child abuse and domestic violence. For those who commented about the mother not taking action to protect her children; you will need to do some serious education of your own. You are speaking from a place of innocence. Until you have been through this yourself or educated yourself as to why people stay in those situations you will continue to remain ignorant. I am happy to hear of another woman and her children finally being able to free themselves of such vile disgust. Those individuals biggest weapon is secrecy. The more light shed upon this, the better. The best way to stomp this behavior out is education in a very public way. I say thank you to the woman and her children for giving another example of what it takes to survive an inhumane situation and educate the public. For those lawyers out there looking to defend this sorry excuse of a human, I have pity on your soul. There is no defense. There is no excuse.

As a woman who | 10:11 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

has endured physical and emotional abuse over the years from several men, starting with my father and going on to husband after husband whom I trusted and loved - don't be so fast to say that this woman should have done something. This kind of abuse makes a person feel totally helpless and incapable. The desire to get help is very real, but it feels like being inside a cardboard box knowing that a grizzly is waiting outside for you - you aren't safe inside or out and you are frozen with fear. My prayers are with her and the children; I hope they can go on and feel whole someday. It won't be anytime soon, though, this I know.

Don't judge the mother | 10:15 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Why do people immediately jump to condemn the mother? Try walking for a minute in her shoes--6 kids and poor in a rural area with no where to go. He probably threatened more dire consequences than he actually doled out. The mother probably had no self-esteem or energy left to get away from this monster. I do agree that the school, neighbors or extended family should have had a clue something bad was going on!

suzyk | 10:20 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

To: Cosmo...I agree completely with you..if he were to ever get out he would repeat what he enjoys again and again.

Hatchet job? | 10:27 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

You guys seem to be giving the accusations from this obvious mother of the year a lot of credibility.. Maybe there are wonderful reasons why she didn't report all this abuse until she was ready to leave... If this really happened as she claims, why isn't she under arrest? By making these claims she wins, divorce, hurts a man she wants to leave, and cleans her own slate... WOW. The claims of this woman are not protection of the children, she could have done that any time during the last 15+ years... There is certainly more here...

Baja Joe | 10:36 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Wake up people, this stuff goes on all the time in our neighborhoods. We are just too cowardly to do anything about it!!

Captive | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Good Old Utah and George --- Have you ever endured this kind of torture? I don't see this Mom's situation as any different from anyone else who has been held captive. I would bet she took a lot of extra beatings in protection of her children. Until you've walked a mile in her shoes, I think your judgment of the victim ought to be reserved. Attacking her now is the same kind of thing her husband did. She's been severely abused, and without even a chance for the bruises to heal, she's attacked by perfect strangers in a public forum. Please, let's show a little compassion!

just you wait | 11:20 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

When he is in prison we'll see how many of the boys he stomps on.

Easy to judge I guess | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Captive-You don't actually know what if any torture was endured by this woman. Good thing we have courts I guess...I think George and Utah both have good points. If my husband hurt my children you better believe I would do anything it took to protect them..

Don't Cast Stones | 12:39 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

It is so sad that people are so quick to blame a victim who was clearly in fear of her life and the lives of her children if she left. Why don't we place responsibility where it lies: ON THE PERPETRATOR.

I disagree with the article when it states: "The woman and her children have left Duchesne County and are doing well, according to investigators, considering what allegedly took place in their remote home."

I don't think victims of that kind of abuse would be "doing well" after a few days. They may suffer the rest of their lives after what this monster did to them.

been there | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

when is the last time you said hello to your neighbor? do you even know their names?
when was the last time you did something nice for someone? you didn't know.
When was the last time you had sympathy and understanding? for anything. Its a cold world out there and if we are human shouldn't we start acting like it....

Scared to death... | 6:09 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

This woman was scared to death. Her husband threatened to kill her, and likely threatened to kill her children. This type of man (monster) has full physical and mental control of his victims and relishes in it. Having a scary, controlling, physical father myself, I can understand being frozen with fear, and I was never beaten.

Don't cast more stones onto someone who is under a pile already. Shame on you who do.

Chris | 9:56 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

I tried to help a friend like this get out of an abusive marriage and her husband tried to kill her and me. Abusers are very dangerous--especially when a woman tried to leave a marriage or relationship. Utah has many women who are being abused, and sometimes the abusers hold positions of responsibility in their churches.

Sad but oft repeated story. | 12:33 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009

My friend finally left her abusive husband after 33 years. She moved as far as she could away she was so afraid of him. She was so glad to get away she just wanted a divorce. You'd think the state would have automatically split everything in half but no- he got everything - including not having to pay child support!

With no money she didn't know where to turn. Lawyers never returned her calls when she was trying to find out her rights. I can't believe a state (AZ) would not make sure children are taken care of.

Greg | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009

After seventeen years then come foward? Name withheld to protect the innocent?I live in this county, and history shows withholding names typically protects another one of the "beautiful people".This story has even not appeared in print or airwaves at all in the area. Why are the children not removed from a person who allows them to be abused. The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree- unless they're raked away and taken care of, they'll just rot.

Mainstream Republican | 2:36 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

We need less government. Why should we have a big government takeover of this man's liberty to do whatever he wants? Our founding father's would not have approved. Plus, why should we tax productive people to protect children that are too lazy to work?

human being | 10:23 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Quote the news paper "it was as bad as it gets. We're just very very fortunate that somebody didn't lose their life. I take exception to this statement. This whole family had their very lives dramatically changed forever! Having been harmed so very often in such brutal ways, this alters ones life altogether. It takes years and years to heal, if ever from trama like this. I hope those around this family will be compasionate, suportive, and understanding and in time they will have somewhat of a norman life.

Katz45 | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Greg,
The kids heard,felt and seen enough. To put their names on tv. Their trying to fit in. I personally saw the small grave he dug for her, If she ever left and took the kids.He's 6'1" 185 lbs,she 5'3" 100 lbs. Yes,We did go and get them out when it was SAFE. The shelters in that area were full. We brought them to our home. After this last beating,She called us and truly beleived he was going to kill her. Unless you've been in that situation you have no idea how it is. They're trying to adjust.

shaw1 | 9:45 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009

It is great how the media wants you only to see what they want you to see.

WOW | 11:22 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Katz, what about the time she put a gun in his face and pulled the trigger?

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