A lesson for parents in death of 15-year-old, conviction of his killers
As the parent of two teenage boys, I have followed the story of Roger Trindade with great sadness and compassion for the parents, as well as concern for my own children. Roger’s parents, Adriana Thomé and Rodrigo Trindade, brought their child to America with the hope of a better future. This future included but was not limited to a safe haven for Roger to enjoy his life. From everything I have read, he was doing just that for a boy his age.
Everyone deserves a better education, great friends and the opportunity to walk outside his home feeling a high degree of safety. Roger was becoming accustomed to America and began fulfilling a dream most parents would love to see their children experience.
The night he decided to enjoy the life to which he was becoming accustomed suddenly and tragically became a nightmare.
We have here a kind and respectable young man at 15 out with friends for burgers on Park Avenue in Winter Park, when he suddenly becomes the target of other young men. Park Avenue is known as a safe haven for relaxation, shopping, eating and enjoying time with friends. I would have to ask why Simeon Hall and Jesse Sutherland were even on Park Avenue. If they were there for the reasons I just mentioned, that is fine; life would have been great for all concerned.
Simeon and Jesse decided to take a potentially dangerous road when they became aggressive — aggression leading to the death of Roger Trindade, a jury decided. Simeon’s attorney, David Fussell, was quoted in the Thursday Sentinel article “2 boys guilty in death of Winter Park teen”: “You do not expect when you throw a punch that you’re going to kill someone.”
Really, Mr. Fussell? I would never want my children to believe that a blow to someone’s head probably will not be fatal. I would want to make certain beforehand that my kids understood it most certainly could be fatal. Fussell needs to confer with a doctor who is well-versed in trauma to the brain, including the potential danger to the entire body.
Teaching my children to take responsibility for their actions is just part of my role as a parent. This responsibility includes but is not limited to respect for other people, love, compassion, understanding and the ability to listen to others before responding. Results do not happen overnight, as we have discovered. It has taken great fortitude and consistency to teach what is right and to set the example at home.
Nonaggressive behavior is often the direct result of coaching basic common sense. My hope as a parent is that our boys will accept responsibility for their actions, doing what is right — what is right for themselves as individuals and for others they may meet.