Cops: Teen killed for the challenge

Chicago Tribune on-line ^ | February 26, 2004 | Carrie Antlfinger, AP

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

WEYAUWEGA, Wis. -- Gary Hirte, a high school scholar, star athlete and Eagle Scout whose name seemed to be in the local paper all the time, is accused of committing murder--not for money or revenge, but just to see if he could get away with it.

The Weyauwega-Fremont High senior's arrest last month was met with shock and disbelief in this town of 1,800, where Hirte has long been held in high esteem. The 18-year-old was accused of killing 37-year-old Glenn Kopitske.

"He wanted to see if he could do this. It was like a challenge for him," sheriff's Capt. Steve Verwiel said. "I would attribute it to arrogance."

Defense attorney Gerald Boyle said Hirte claims he was not involved in the murder. Boyle said Hirte will plead not guilty at his arraignment Thursday.

Authorities said Hirte told friends about the crime, but none took him seriously. Finally, five months after the slaying, a girl he once dated went to police because she feared he would commit suicide out of remorse.

Hirte apparently sought out and stalked Kopitske, a substitute teacher who ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2000, authorities said.

Kopitske was found dead Aug. 2 in his house outside Weyauwega. He had been shot in the head, stabbed twice in the back and once in the heart.

The arrest has shaken this community about 90 miles north of Madison.

Hirte was the city's first Eagle Scout in 20 years. He was an honor student and a 6-foot-4, 270-pound member of the track, wrestling and football teams, and has a steady 14-year-old girlfriend. Readers of the town's weekly paper knew all about his achievements.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Even with all his "honors", it's apparent this kid didn't think about the ramifications of his actions.

Please go the source URL and read the whole story.

[BlueLancer]

Interesting ...

Also noted that this stellar 18-year old had a 14-year old girlfriend.

Can you say "statutory rape"?
I knew you could.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Not surprising... he was treated like a God in this little town.

[Humidston]

I was told by a famous criminalogist that if I ever awakened in the middle of the night with a prowler in my home, I'd better PRAY it's an adult and not a teen.

He said law enforcement is seeing a staggering amount of teens murdering "just because they want to see what it's like to see someone die."

[Damocles]

Mayor Howard Quimby

You've got to be kidding me. Mayor Quimby?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Apparently a massive ego on this kid. And you'd think being an Eagle Scout he might have been church-going at some point in his life? (In small towns, the Scout groups usually meet at churches.) Which part of "Thou shall not Kill" did this kid miss in his education?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I was told by a famous criminalogist that if I ever awakened in the middle of the night with a prowler in my home, I'd better PRAY it's an adult and not a teen.

Yeah, and just to think Mayor Daley is throwing away the teenage curfew laws in the City of Chicago. THAT oughta keep crime down in the 'hood!

[Rytwyng]

Also noted that this stellar 18-year old had a 14-year old girlfriend. Can you say "statutory rape"?

You're assuming they were having sex. Maybe not.

Then again, if he was willing to commit murder, fornication probably isn't too big a deal to him.

[Rytwyng]

Also noted that this stellar 18-year old had a 14-year old girlfriend. Can you say "statutory rape"?

You're assuming they were having sex. Maybe not.

Then again, if he was willing to commit murder, fornication probably isn't too big a deal to him.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Yes, amazing, isn't it? There is a for-real Mayor Quimby.

[Humidston]

Mayor Daley - Typical Rat politician. Not long on brains!

Today's street teens are dangerous!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I tried digging around the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's website for this story, which came out on the AP wire service. So far, all I see is the notice posted in 2002 when Hirte became an Eagle Scout. I've already sent a e-mail to them asking about when this story will appear in their newspaper.

[laconic]

IF this is true and he is found guilty of the murder, it would be somewhat reminiscent of the Leopold-Loeb murders, where two geniuses from wealthy local families who were students at the Univ. of Chicago decided to murder Bobby Franks to see if they could commit the perfect crime. No such thing.

[ConservativeDude]

"Finally, five months after the slaying, a girl he once dated went to police because she feared he would commit suicide out of remorse."

Ever read Crime and PUnishment anyone?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Links from the Madison, WI area newspaper:

Higher Bond Sought After Slaying Suspect Talks Of Double Suicide
Teen To Stand Trial On Murder Charge - 2/10/04
Town Shocked As Star Student Is Accused Of Murder - The Day Before His Arrest, It Was Announced That He'd Won A College Scholarship And Planned To Study Criminal Justice. - 2/9/04
Murder Accusation Shocks Teen's Town - 2/9/04

[ExpatCanuck]

Then again, if he was willing to commit murder, fornication probably isn't too big a deal to him.

Ya think????

[ExpatCanuck]

...the perfect crime. No such thing.

There could be, but of course we would never hear about them...

[robertpaulsen]

Similar to the movie, Murder by Numbers.

[Protagoras]

He said law enforcement is seeing a staggering amount of teens murdering "just because they want to see what it's like to see someone die."

Leopold and Loeb. The first publicized thrill killing.