The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
48°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

The Vox Box

  1. Blogs
  2. The Vox Box
  3. Why Didn't He Just Kick It?

Why Didn’t He Just Kick It?

Keith Walendowski, a Milwaukee, WI resident, wasn't happy with just leaving the lawn unmowed when the mower wouldn't start. Instead, he shot the machine. I guess he had to go for the big guns (pun intended.)

Milwaukee Sheriff's Dept. Photo

According to the MSNBC article, found here Milwaukee police are charging him with misdemeanor disorderly conduct while armed and felony possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle.

"[The woman who reported him] said [Walendowski] was intoxicated.
Walendowski could face up to an $11,000 fine and six years and three months in prison if convicted."

Walendowski's take on the situation was " Ican do that, it's my lawn mower and my yard so I can shoot it if I want."

I have to wonder if the lawn mower hadn't worked before that, or if he just decided that giving it a nice shot in the motor would make it start. Also, was he just carrying around the gun, or did he run back inside and get it?

Do you think the police were justified in charging him? Did he have any justification for his actions? What would you have done in that situation?

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.