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Unhappy inheritance
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Whether it's a genetic legacy, toxic role modeling or both, some parents seem to provide only tragic footsteps for their children to follow.
Many of the boys charged in the first year of "adult time for adult crime" in Allegheny County were "juniors." They inherited their fathers' names and a family history of crime.
There was, for example, John H. III, who spent time with his father, John H. Jr., in the Allegheny County Jail after the 15-year-old was charged with armed robbery while his 44-year-old father was awaiting trial on aggravated indecent assault.
And there was Robert E. III, who had the distinction of being the son of two criminals. He is the namesake of Robert E. Jr., arrested 10 times since he turned 18 in 1976. Young Robert's mother, Mary E., has been arrested three times since 1993 for prostitution and possession of narcotics.
Richard R. doesn't share his father's name, but has inherited his propensity to drink. Richard R. was convicted of a drunken driving crash that killed a friend. He is the son of Paul R., guilty in two drunken driving cases.
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