Dad Who Branded Kids Acquitted

[Jazzy]

May 14) -- A man in Washington state who branded his children like cattle has been acquitted of second-degree assault charges.



A jury in Port Angeles deadlocked Thursday on two lesser charges of fourth-degree assault, and a judge declared a mistrial on those counts.



The two teenage sons of 39-year-old Mark J. Seamands testified that they had wanted to be branded.



The Sequim (SKWIM') man was branded himself. He testified he wanted to bring the family closer together while he was going through a divorce. Seamands' ex-wife said she was horrified when she saw the scars.



Seamands' 18-year-old daughter also was branded, but the dad wasn't charged with assaulting her because she was old enough to give consent.



The children were branded with the letters SK, which stands for Seamands' kids.



Information from: Peninsula Daily News, http://www.peninsuladailynews.com

 

[Evil Eye]

What's with all the nut cases?

 

[Jazzy]

Seems like everyone is going crazy

 

[The Dragon Master]

Why would someone consent to be branded?

 

[Evil Eye]

Why would someone consent to be branded?

To bring the family closer together apparently...

 

[Fayble]

Well I mean if that's what they wanted then that's their own choice, but I personally wouldn't do it. And I don't agree with the sentencing... If they wanted to get branded then let them. No one should get in trouble for being stupid if that's how they decide to act.

 

[Pulse]

What ever happened to going out to lunch or dinner or watching a family video? Doesnt that too bring the family together or even talking to your kids during lunch at the table?...

 

[Bluezone777]

I can just imagine the discussion they will have when their boy/girlfriend asks what is up with the SK scar on their body. lol



I mean how exactly do you go about explaining the act of being branded as being something any sane person would do to themselves.

 

[extreme]

He probably forced them to give consent.

 

[dog]

I bet that had to hurt. I would hate to have an insane dad like that.

 

[Temerit]

I bet that had to hurt. I would hate to have an insane dad like that.

The kids consented though....





But anyway this is making my state look bad, at least its out in redneck land.



Fun fact: Sequim is in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, and rain is extremely rare there although its still green there, and there are hardly ever clouds there either.

 

[Howard]

Why would someone consent to be branded?

The same reason that folks consent to be tattooed I suspect.

 

[Nebulous]

Who needs a tattoo? You can just get a disfiguring scar in the shape of letters.

 

[Pulse]

Burn it off XD

 

[JustMe]

If the man felt the need to brand his children he has major issues. There are better and less painful ways to bond.