'Bumfight' Videos Inspired Joy-Killing

Back in Florida, Jeffrey Spurgeon told 60 Minutes that he and his friends watched Bumfights "hundreds of times."

"That was their favorite thing to do. Was watch those videos and mock whatever was on it," he says.

By mock, Spurgeon means copy. And he said they were doing just that the night they killed Michael Roberts.

"We were just trying to mock a show," he says.

He also tells Bradley they thought it was funny.

How is that fun?

"I don't know just exciting I guess…entertainment?" Spurgeon says.

"What in the world do you do with kids who are sitting in the bushes smoking a little pot one minute, and the next minute beating a man to death? What do you do with kids like that?" Judge Will wonders.

The judge says Bumfights never came up in this case, and he was left searching for other reasons why four kids would beat a homeless man to death.

"The one trend that saw in those kids was that they felt as though they had been bullied and pushed around by everybody in their lives up until that particular moment. And the opportunity just arose," he says.

"What would you say to kids who might be doing this? Bum-bashing. Bum fighting," Bradley asks Spurgeon.

"I would ask 'em what they're gettin' out of it. What, what's so fun about it," he replies.

"And they would say, 'But what did you get out of it? You did it,'" Bradley says.

"Yep," Spurgeon says. "And now I could tell 'em, 'Look at me now though. You still have a chance. Look at me."

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[ks29ps17007]

I believe this Ryan person is very responisble and has no clue what life can deal a person, any person. As far as tose teenage punks who are beating up the defensless may they stay in jail longer than 35 years. Than when they get out have the same thing happen to them. I do believe it is Karma. No-one has a right to touch anyone in that way. AS far as Ryan is concerned again he'll get what's coming to him one way or another. Again Karma. These punks were'nt bullied they are just over privileged. Same on the parents if that is what what you call it, Thay didn't do a very good job of raising their kids. Shame on them all. God Bless All the victims and the homeles and may he watch over them always. My prayers are with you all. As far as the perpatraters may you all rot in H--- ! ! !

[supersonogirl]

I found it interesting that none of these boys committing these horrific acts on homeless people, had parents that contributed to this piece. So, so sad. This was a real eyeopener. I hope I have taught my children better. Overall, I thought the piece was well-done... right up until the end, where you said, "and you can still get your copy online." Nice. Glad you're not contributing to sales. Do you get a cut?? THAT was just as sad.

[rowekishi_35]

You can blame the parents, you can blame the teachers, you can blame society, but really you should only blame yourselves. (Don't call me a hypocrite as I was blaming the video "bumfights" ealier. I honestly believe that people influenced by these videos are weak-minded, so we have to protect them from themselves by pulling these videos off shelves.) People have to take some responsibility for their actions. They should be made to pay for them. Those kids who beat two bums in one night, killing one got off with just a year. Correct? Ridiculous! People should pay for their mistakes and not be allowed such easy punishments, minor or not!

[rowekishi_35]

I'm much in agreement with politikz. I watched this news report and had to change the channel because it made me sick to my stomach. I cannot believe how cruel some humans can be to others. Laughing at the misfortunes of somebody so desperate or addicted that they would do anything for money or alcohol is quite despicable, Desmond_G. As for you babycakes, what are YOU doing to help the homeless? I believe just taking those videos off of the market would do them some justice considering the videos seem to be influencing weak-minded kids to do such horrible things. Didn't you just read the article where the kids were chanting, "bumfights! bumfights!" while beating a man? If you want my opinion on what is a "shame, shame, shame" it's that your parents never taught you how to spell. (believe, gosh, might, either, etc.) Honestly though, I am simply saddened that our society has fallen so low that we always prey on the innocents, the children, the homeless, animals. Why is that? Why are we so obsessed with domination, with not being the "weakest link?" Why do we bully and hurt others to make ourselves feel better?

[politikz]

Desmond_G, how can you compare America's Funniest Home Videos to Bumfights and Crackheads gone wild? You are comparing a show where people send in videos of themselves and laugh along with other people to videos where people like you are laughing at other people in a miserable state! You are correct about the parenting, but, sometimes teenagers march to a different beat, and for those who lack strong parenting, this is dangerous. As for baby_cakes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Just because someone is not out on the streets helping the homeless does not mean there not helping. How about teachers in schools trying to get teenagers to realize the value of a good education, policemen and social workers trying to steer kids down the straight and narrow path, parents being goods parents, and retailers taking responsibility and using alittle moral judgement when it comes to selling garbage that pollute young minds. I'm not writing to pointing, but, sometimes people fall down in life. It is our duty as the greatest nation not to get cheap laughs off of someone else's misery!!

[vicci2]

I had never heard of this before I just read it here online. Whenever I hear about things this insane I always have to ask myself "Who raised these people?" What kind of a mind would reason that this type of an act would be acceptable? Do they not think about how these acts affect other? Have they no empathy at all? I can't even imagine what goes through a persons mind when they are committing such evil acts. It is totally beyond my comprehension. It is a scary world we live in. Vb

[sweetstudent]

well i think event tho iam only a teen myslef, that was cruel from those boys to do such thing like that to poor poeple, and more to homeless poeple, and what they get its what they deserve and iam glad they got caught, and hopefully they will be something done about homeless being hit by teenagers.

[enragedmom]

It's called a Boycott. We can all stop supporting stores that sell this garbage and any advertisers that promote such horrible acts (whether real or acted) -- the boycott has been and effective (and non-violent) means of protest for a long time.

[f272931]

I too am outraged to learn of Bum Fights after watching 60 minutes. I will check with my local K-Mart & Circuit City to make sure they pull those off the shelf. It is despicable that someone would create such a thing & to make money from it as well.

[baby_cakes__]

What Ever Happend to Being Responsible For Your Own Actions...?Is That Gone...?If So Than Problem Solved People...! YAY,NOBODY IS AT FALT FOR ANYTHING..!Think People Think...!