Boy, 8, Killed Defending Sister From Rapist

Boy, 8, Killed Defending Sister From Rapist

The family of an 8-year-old boy beaten to death as he tried to defend his 12-year-old sister from a brutal rape gathered outside their home Friday, grappling with the details of the vicious attack. They leaned on one another, crying, shaking and struggling to understand the loss of little Martin Cobb. "He was a lovely little boy. He didn't deserve this," said Geraldine Pitchford, the children's aunt, choking back tears in front of the family's home in Richmond's working-class Southside. Martin's mother was too distraught to come outside. "I'm still trying to make sense of this senseless crime," Pitchford said. "I couldn't fathom the thought of this ever happening."

The neighborhood's calm was shattered Thursday, when police rushed to the home at 6:30 p.m. The brother and sister had been playing on train tracks behind the family home's backyard. The suspect approached the pair, who often played together, and attempted to sexually assault the girl, police said. Martin tried to help his sister, and the suspect struck him in the head with a brick, NBC station WWBT reported. He died at the scene. His sister was recovering Friday at VCU Medical Center and was feeling "OK," the family told NBC News.

Deepest sympathies for the family and much respect to this little man who gave his life trying to save his sister. Hopefully the person who did this will be found. Anyone who would do this to children should get the death penalty. If they put him in general population chances are he wouldn't live to be executed.

a reply to: buster2010

Heros are not made, not trained but born. This little fellow is proof of that. To act against such an aggressor at such a young age, even considering the outcome marks the child apart from many others. This one will receive not just permission to enter heaven, but an honour guard to welcome him, and escort him to The Lord.

As for the filth that killed him, and molested his sister? I hope that the perpetrator is found and bought to the most complete justice available, legal or otherwise.

a reply to: buster2010

I hate reading stories like this.

Parents, teach your kids to run away and get help screaming as loud as they can? Not try and attack someone much stronger than they.

If that little boy had started running toward his house and yelling this might have ended differently.

a reply to: buster2010

This is the sort of news NO parent should ever have to hear. This young boy was braver than anyone could imagine.

This will have long lasting effects on the sister as she will blame herself when she is older. I hope this guy who did this gets KILLED in the most brutal and depraved fashion imaginable!!!

a reply to: buster2010

This kind of thing does make me weep

originally posted by: intrptr
Parents, teach your kids to run away and get help screaming as loud as they can? Not try and attack someone much stronger than they.

If that little boy had started running toward his house and yelling this might have ended differently.

You are right, it is the little boys fault he was murdered...

That little boy was braver than anyone I know, probably braver than anyone you know either. This guy needs to feel the wrath of the most twisted punishments imaginable.

ETA: I feel that despite his odds, the little boy was right to not run away. Run away and leave your sister, or stand and fight?? Think the little guy could have even out ran the rapist? Good for him for standing his ground and protecting his family.

originally posted by: projectbane
a reply to: buster2010

This will have long lasting effects on the sister as she will blame herself when she is older. I hope this guy who did this gets KILLED in the most brutal and depraved fashion imaginable!!!

give the monster a blood eagle. Blood Eagle wiki

or make him a practice dummy for those learning enhanced interrogation techniques.

I cant believe how someone could use a brick on a little kid.

a reply to: buster2010

You know those rare moments where you could really enjoy seeing scum like this piece of ship suffer?

Yeah, this is one of those times.

If there is an Odin, then that little fella has surely entered Valhalla.

originally posted by: HanzHenry

originally posted by: projectbane
a reply to: buster2010

This will have long lasting effects on the sister as she will blame herself when she is older. I hope this guy who did this gets KILLED in the most brutal and depraved fashion imaginable!!!

give the monster a blood eagle. Blood Eagle wiki

or make him a practice dummy for those learning enhanced interrogation techniques.

I cant believe how someone could use a brick on a little kid.

Sure you can Hanz, you just used the tragic account of a young man's valiant attempt to save his sister from a monster as an opportunity to refer to torture as "enhanced interrogation techniques."

back on topic:
Martin Cobb demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness in staying to fight for his sister. These days, the words "hero" and "heroic" are so overly used that they've begun to lose their meanings — which is a shame because there aren't many words to better describe this boy and his actions.

You know, I hope it takes 50 minutes for his lethal injection to "work".

Absolutely horrific. I am against the death penalty but could be persuaded to allow non lethal torture in special cases like this.

Also it is odd that this article includes the false description of the rapist murder suspect but does not go on to mention the actual description of the real monster who did it.

RIP little man!

You did your very best!

I hope they fry the person who did that. Even if it is a kid. That person should never see freedom again.

Hearing stuff like this makes me mad.

So very tragic. Rest in peace little Angel. That man should be made to suffer as he has made others suffer.

As a father I cannot comprehend the sadness this family must be going through and I really wish I never had to read stuff like this. I do understand how much siblings love each other and would do anything to save each other and that tugs at my heart.

This was not an Rapist but an Monster, what a brave little guy defending his own sister.

a reply to: doompornjunkie

You are right, it is the little boys fault he was murdered…

Don't be a moron. Its the parents fault for not teaching him how to react to dangerous strangers.

"Now junior remember, runaway from big bad men, not towards them".

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: doompornjunkie

You are right, it is the little boys fault he was murdered…

Don't be a moron. Its the parents fault for not teaching him how to react to dangerous strangers.

"Now junior remember, runaway from big bad men, not towards them".

So it would have been better for the boy to run away and leave his sister behind? It's obvious the man had already grabbed the girl and the boy came to her defense. The boy did the right thing and paid for it with his life. Whether you believe it or not there are times when a person has to make stand no matter what age you are and this boy made one.

originally posted by: intrptr
Parents, teach your kids to run away and get help screaming as loud as they can? Not try and attack someone much stronger than they.

If that little boy had started running toward his house and yelling this might have ended differently.

Now I remember clearly why I have such extremely low tolerance for stupidity.