Jimmy Ryce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Samuel James "Jimmy" Ryce (September 26, 1985 – September 11, 1995) was a child that was abducted, raped and killed by Juan Carlos Chavez in Homestead, Florida, United States.
Contents |
[edit] Jimmy's Story
On September 11th, 1995, nine-year-old Jimmy was taking the bus from school. He was dropped off, along with ten classmates, and had to walk less than a block to his home. According to the confession of Juan Carlos Chavez, Chavez blocked Jimmy's path with his pickup truck and held the little boy at gunpoint forcing him inside the truck. Chavez took Jimmy to his trailer where he raped him. Later, when he heard a helicopter hovering above, Jimmy ran to the door and tried to open it only to be shot in the back by Chavez, who held the child until he took his last breath. Jimmy was just fifteen days shy of his tenth birthday when he died.
The child's dismembered body was found three months later near Chavez's trailer.
[edit] Capturing Chavez
Chavez worked for the Scheinhaus family. He lived in a trailer in their property. Around the time of Jimmy's disappearance, Scheinhaus reported several items missing from her home including a handgun and jewelry. Scheinhaus suspected Chavez, but had no evidence to support her suspicions. Aided by a locksmith, Scheinhaus entered Chavez's apartment. She found her handgun and Jimmy's bookbag. She reported her findings to the FBI on December 5th 1995. Chavez was found a day later and taken in for questioning.
Being advised of his rights and after a 55 hour long interrogation, Chavez openly admitted to abducting, raping, and murdering Jimmy Ryce. Chavez also led police to finding the boy's body, which was dismembered and hidden in cement in three plastic planters.
[edit] The Murder Case
In the Fall of 1998, Juan Carlos Chavez was convicted of kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder. Chavez was given the death penalty, but his lawyers have appealed. Chavez filed a Motion in the Circuit Court on 7/9/04. It was amended on 5/5/05. The motion, as of August, 2006, is still pending. [1]
[edit] The Jimmy Ryce Act
The Jimmy Ryce Act (Jimmy Ryce Involuntary Civil Commitment for Sexually Violent Predators' Treatment And Care Act) was passed unanimously by the Florida legislature and was signed by Governor Lawton Chiles on May 19th, 1998, becoming effective on January 1st, 1999. The act calls for the review of inmates with sexual offense histories to determine the possibility of re-offense. However, in recent years the law has been viewed by many professionals and law makers as being extremely flawed. The treatment has been very poor, there is no plan for release, and treatment within the facility for those detained has been cited as inhumane and illegal. Additionally, the detainees are housed in an old prison without benefit of trial for up to six years. While most states realize that a safe re-entry into society is critical, Florida legislature has refused to develop any such plan. Many experts feel that Florida can no longer afford the act, and is waiting for the Supreme Court to terminate the program. For this reason the state continues to poorly plan and poorly develop the program.[2]
