Lynn mayor says youths accused of beating should not play Pop Warner

Many Lynners have criticized the news that some of the juvenile suspects of a beating that left a 30-year-old man hospitalized with a severe brain injury were participating in East Lynn Pop Warner practice. On Thursday, the mayor of the city added his voice in condemning the suspects.?I personally don?t think they should be playing football myself,” Mayor Edward J. “Chip” Clancy said in a phone interview last night, adding that he thought that the suspects should “not go on their merry way, given the other poor guy is near death in a hospital.”On July 22, six juveniles, between the ages of 11 and 14 years old, allegedly attacked Damian Merida, a Guatemalan immigrant sleeping near McManus Field, and beat him senseless. Police arrested the youths and charged them with aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder, as well as with violating the victim’s civil rights and assault with intent to maim.The defendants pleaded not delinquent to the charges, posted bail and were remanded to their parents. They are awaiting pre-trial hearings.?The presumption of innocence still applies,” Mayor Clancy said, “but there is enough there to give pause for serious reflection.”This week, The Item reported that at least three of the six suspects were attending East Lynn Pop Warner practice. The East Lynn Pop Warner board of directors met on Wednesday to discuss the situation.The mayor said that in general, “the city tries to help Pop Warner, because Pop Warner n East Lynn, West Lynn, whatever ? provides a great service, athletic opportunities for young people, a great thing.” However, he added, “I don?t particularly agree that (the suspects) should be playing football at this point.”Despite the mayor?s criticism, it doesn?t seem that the city can do much to prevent that from happening.Asked whether the city is considering any such moves, the mayor replied, “I tried to answer your question.”