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Attacks net 9-1/2 years for Medford teen By DANI DODGE A North Medford High School sophomore who robbed a cabby and cracked another man's skull with a baseball bat was sentenced Thursday to 9-1/2 years behind bars. Tedrow "Teddy" Toe Vaeono - who already had two assault convictions on his record - is only 15. Trying to explain to the judge why he attacked a 27-year-old tree planter with a bat for seemingly no reason, he said: "I was jumped by some fools and thought it was him." "... but it turns out you are the fool," said Circuit Court Judge Ray White. "You've got yourself in a situation where a large part of your life, when you should have been having some of the most fun, good times you could have, will be spent in jail. "You've just thrown it away." Vaeono pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree assault in the two crimes that occurred in December within a week of each other. Both are Measure 11 crimes, which meant that Vaeono had to be treated in court as an adult and subjected to adult mandatory sentencing. Measure 11, which sets minimum sentences for certain violent crimes, was passed by Oregon voters in 1994. But Measure 11 only required a 90-month sentence for Vaeono. White gave him 116 months because of his extensive criminal history. The judge, the public defender and even the prosecutor were visibly saddened by the case. "Because of his age, you think 'how terrible,' but you have to protect the community," Deputy District Attorney Beth Heckert said after the hearing. In the robbery case, Vaeono threatened a cab driver with a knife. It was just after midnight on Dec. 26, and the cab driver was between calls and playing basketball at Jackson Park when he was approached by Vaeono and another teen. They chased him around his taxi and then Vaeono stole $120. Just five days earlier, Vaeono walked up to 27-year-old Jesus Acosto Garcia near Union Park and hit him in the head with a baseball bat. "(That night) he came up to me running and since I knew him, I thought he was just going to walk along with me," Garcia said in Spanish, scars from the attack visible on his forehead. "We continued on walking together, and when I turned around to look at some black guys walking this way, he'd already hit me and knocked me down." Vaeono slammed him again, fracturing Garcia's wrist. Garcia said he stood up and tried to run away, but Vaeono came after him swinging his baseball bat at his feet. Garcia's skull was cracked through the bone and air got to his brain, Heckert said. "I just don't feel well," Garcia said to White. "When I go out in the street I'm just not comfortable. I'm very fearful to be alone. "I just would like to have justice done in this case." No members of Vaeono's family attended the sentencing. "As far as defensible things in the case, there wasn't much," Vaeono's attorney, Lisa Greif, told the judge. "But he has never denied involvement in these cases. "It's my hope he will take advantage of programs while in the juvenile facility so he can get his high school diploma - and he will have a lot of time to reflect on what he's done here and in the past." Vaeono will stay in the Oregon Youth Corrections system until he turns 18, at which time he may go to adult prison. But if he doesn't get in trouble in the juvenile system, he may be allowed to stay there until age 24. In addition to being sentenced to 116 months in prison, White ordered three years of post-prison supervision and $15,438.92 in restitution for Garcia's medical bills and lost wages. "You will be capable after you get out of custody to pay the restitution and you should be held responsible for that," White said. Vaeono hung his head through the entire hearing. When first asked if he had anything to say, he simply said "no." When the judge pressed him for reasons for the attack, Vaeono tried to mumble out his excuse, but his voice just trailed off. He never apologized. White repeatedly remarked over the senselessness of the crimes. And he noted that because of Vaeono's criminal history, he will serve very long sentences if he commits crimes again. "The only thing I can say is good luck," White said. "If you can't change your behavior and learn to be in society, you have to be locked up to keep you from hurting people. "And that is what will be done." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.