If a teen can't "behave" while facing a second degree murder charge, a charge which would scare most reasonable adults into toeing the line, then this is a teen who needs some serious assistance. Those who were with him might have also considered their role as his friends, who should have been considering what this would do to the odds of him avoiding a long prison sentence. The lack of accountability in the Barrington culture isn't fully to blame, but it cannot be absolved of blame either. May we all take a hard look at ourselves and see what we might do to create a culture of accountability, rather than a culture of thumbing one's nose at authority. A lack of respect for the law and a lack of respect for the spirit and tenor of school rules speaks volumes about both teens and their parents alike. May someone in Barrington finally have the courage to speak out and challenge this culture. When kids serve meaningless suspensions (sometimes even going out for sports they don't intend to participate in in order to save themselves for their real sports, and coaches, parents, and administrators participate in such fraud...well...there's really little anyone can say...it's an interesting place). Interesting, and beautiful, but perhaps not a healthy place to raise kids.

It's unbelievable! I'm glad he's being held without bail. It's time this "kid" is taught a real lesson. Bravo to the judge for realizing that his parents couldn't control him so now there is no second chance. Sounds like someone feels he's above the law...not for long!

Why can't these kids (or any teens these days) wake up? You always think of Barrington so upper class that they wouldn't do things like this but it also just shows it can happen to any family
You'd also think these parents would wake up and take care of their kids

Ryan does NOT deserve home confinement! He's learned nothing about consequences of his under age drinking and apparently, he isn't under a responsible person's supervision now!

This kid is as idiot. When your on home confinement your only job is to stay at the house and find a way to entertain yourself. IF, and only IF you feel the need to go out and get drunk w/your friends, them make sure you do it at a place where the Barrington Police, who have nothing better to do, will not be able to find you "on foot at 5:15 in the afternoon". Smarten up kid, and please fine the parents for their mis-conduct as well.

One can only hope that this "child" is such an idiot that even his parents cannot control him. For if that is not the case and the parents do nothing to try to help and or control this youth then he really does have no hope. Not knowing the family I can only guess that he is a spoiled rotten Barrington youth and that the laws of RI don't apply to them because of the power that their parents hold.

This moron should get life automatically. He obviously has no respect for the law and obviously none for the "friend" he killed and his family.

I do not believe that Ryan Greenburg should be made an example of. It should be taking into consideration that he fell into the gap law. I believe that he should be tried in Family Court.

Obviously the adolescent residents of Barrington, and in particular Mr. Greenburg, don't miss their friend Patrick Murphy that much.

If they did, they would refrain from the behavior that ("allegedly") got him killed in the first place.

This kid Ryan should be locked up! He shouldn't be tried in family court, he should be tried as an adult. If he wasn't caught Saturday night, who knows what he could of done to another life! . He obviously doesn't feel bad, nor does his friends, or they wouldn't be drinking with him! If there was any "hope" for him, he would never step close to alcohol, he didn't learn his lesson.

Why does this not surprise me? And the fact that they were drinking at the Jon Converse memorial bench just makes it totally ridiculous. If I was Ryan Greenberg's parents, I would not let that kid out of my sight. The kid has murder charges pending and he has the freedom to hang out and drink a few beers? That kid should have been held from the beginning. I hope that his stay at the ACI, a considerably different surrounding than his beautiful home, wakes this kid up and his parents too.

I have wonder again, just where were his parents. Though the young man is 17 - he is still a minor, when are the parents going to be held accountable. What will it take, how many more innocent children have to die before Barrington, and the rest of the State realize that underage drinking is an extremely serious problem. I truly believe if they start holding parents more accountable, then maybe, just maybe kids won't have to continue burying their peers.

so two drunk 15 year old girls were hanging out with 7 older guys... isn't barrington supposed to be classy?

Unbelievable, first of all - as others have said - what was this kid doing out of the house while awaiting trial for SECOND DEGREE MURDER? What in God's name are those parents doing with this kid?

And how much remorse does this kid show for killing his friend while intoxicated, by going out drinking AGAIN?

How appropriate that he ended up in front of the same judge, and kudos to that judge for recognizing the indifference of this individual by sending him to the ACI.

Not so "preppy" in there, is it Ryan? When are you and your parents going to recognize that you have a serious, serious problem? This is one person who has shown he can't be trusted in society.

To Agnes, who thinks poor Ryan shouldn't be a "gap" kid; get the gap between your ears checked. This kid is a deadly, deadly menace and has proven that once already. He's well on his way to proving it again.

Will SOMEONE hold those paretns accountable, please?!!!!

This country is rediculous. Alcohol is natural part of society and has been for eons. There should be no law against drinking. It makes no sense that you have to be 21 years of age to drink an alcoholic beverage; but, you can drive a death machine at 16. In other countries such as in Europe there are no drinking ages and the youth would rather go for ice cream than get drunk. Mainly because there not withheld from alcohol and don't see it as a big deal. Anything that we are told we can't have in this world we all want.
As for the death of his friend, I am certain that it was an accident. No young person except if they are born crazy would wish death on another. The court in this country could careless about justice all they want is your money. As for all of you who sit in judgement of another remember, so shall you be judged. I'm sure none of you are angels, and if you think you are hope you have a fan because it will be pretty hot where you are going.
Accidents happen. Lives are lost. Lets embrace each other not judge or persecute.

Theres a person that needs 20 years in the ACI. No remorse at all,from him. No sympathy for him. He has not shown his duty to grow up. He will grow up in jail tho.Very fast.

I say we need a law to charge the PARENTS. These parents are obviously neglegent - selfish - and disinterested and they have not shown bounderies or given any discipline to this young man.
He is paying the consequences of having parents
who are irresponsible and SELFISH.
They should be charged as well.

This kid really needs to grow up. There is much to be taken out of this situation where it is clear he is innocent for the murder of his friend Patrick. He did not learn his lesson the first time well now it is a much more serious case. Help needs to be on its way to not necessarily Ryan but teenagers in general. It may seem to be clear to everyone that alcohol is a serious case in a teenager's life yet more needs to occur so that it is stopped or at least able to be settled down.

as someone from Barrington, a student to say the least, I agree with you all. The alcoholism in our town has gotten out of hand, and even in my class, the class of 2010, we have begun to wonder who in our class will die, too.
I think it's horrible that we have to think this way... as someone who is well aware of what to do, and not to do,though the Barrington Police really DO have nothing else to do... in a way they're abusing their rights. However, this is a ridiculous matter, you'd think that after being charged with murder, he'd learn something. Obviously he hasn't.

HE WANTS TO DRINK LIKE A MAN ,THEN HE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE A MAN. His parents are unforgivable, they should hang their heads in shame as their son is lead off in chains to the big house.This is what is wrong with todays youth, the parents have little or no control, and yet they are the first ones to try to help an all ready trouble youth when they are already to far gone. R.R.H

His parents couldn't 'control' him? He is 17, a minor and out on bail on a MURDER charge.

Ryan is now where he can be 'controlled'.

i strongly agree with richard. Teens do what they do becase they arent supposed to be doin it. Prosecuting them and makeing "examples" will do nothing but make officials feel like they have done their job. Nothing will make them stop but themseleves. No matter the punishment, it is in all teenagers to do whatever they want, no matter the outcome. Believe what you want, but this is the truth. Making teens dump out their beers and a courtesy ride home is almost more effective then prosecution; which only makes life more difficult for these teens and fuels their desire to bend the rules even further.

it's a shame how everyone is so judgemental. be in his shoes he made a huge mistake and it seems like he needs alot of help dealing with his conseqences. seems to me he's battling a major case of depression, maybe drinking, which numbs us at a time of pain, he may need some form of rehabilitation. not trying to make excuses but let's help. it was an irresponsible accident.

Richard, I can tell that you're young. Sure, you have a few points about the drinking age being lower, or maybe just ridding the age of requirement altogether. However, this is not about the age of drinking, or the court systems. This has to do with a young man, 17, who was drinking while boating. Now keep in mind, this is illegal, and the law should be followed, whatever it may be. Resulting in his foolish mistake, he killed a friend of his.

Most people in this situation would have been in shock and awe, learned from their mistake, serve the consequence of his action, and tried to move on with his life. Not only did he not learn from killing a friend, he went out, in difiance of the law, and did what got him into this mess, broke the law and drank with buddies of his.

Parents need to watch their children, and young men and women should learn from their mistakes and stop difying the law because it's the "Cool," thing to do these days.

This young man has no clue. He takes no responsibility for his actions and doesn't really get it. Don't these kids don't have anything better to do than drink. Cannot imagine how many dead brain cells they already have at the age of 17. It's a sad commentary. By the way, yes, accidents happen, but when they happen and you are drunk, you are totally responsible for those actions. People choose to drink and then participate in dangerous activities, i.e., driving, boating, etc. These kids better wake up!

Reading these comments makes me wonder If global warming is bad for Rhode Island after all, at this rate where going I think we all might be better off under water. You see this Kid never wanted his friend to loose his life, this a very sad accident and HE has to live with it for the rest of his life. Patrick Lynch Loves to Indite the weak and protect the powerful. Second degree Murder? Involuntary Manslauder perhaps but Murder? Jeff and Mike Derderian, Dan Biecele and of course the Infamous So Called Fire inspector Denis Larocque didn't even get charged with second degree Murder and they had a hand in ending 100 LIVES! This Current AG office needs to be stopped! Ruining this Kids life with not bring back his Friend or "teach him a lesson" it will only create more problems in the long run. Do I need to remind people that 3 Cops at the Portsmouth PD stole 5 Firearms from the evidence room and got caught, after they returned the guns there where no charged or inditiment they where suspended for 2 weeks without pay and got to keep there jobs! Now Firearm Larceny is a felony with a MINIMUM sentence of one year in prison! The AG's office stated, and get this... because the officers believed the Guns where slated to be destroyed they where not depriving anyone of there property therefore they where not stealing! Rhode Island is Doomed! Patrick Lynch is a RAT! Fear and Loathing in Rhode Island!

I'm thrilled that he's a gap kid! That couldn't have worked out better. Leave him there without bail.

Anybody see RI Monthly yet? That Barrington story should get everybody stirred up.

-Art

Paul..this is not Europe. Your arguement is moot.

This decision to send this kid to the ACI is the best wake up call to save his life. He is an addict to alcohol. I lost my husband to this rotten disease at age 50, I know the course it takes. Thankfully he never killed anyone. ACI will scare the crap out of him and hopefully other teens who wish to follow his course of thinking.

As for his parents, I don't know jack about them but i suspect they probably also have an alcohol addiction. It runs in families. No parent with the sentence he got would let this kid go free wielding and believe his lies. Alcholics lie to get their fix.

Barrington needs this case to wake them up and the rest of the state.

To Richard - - This country is ridiculous? From your comments you must be from Barrington and have no clue. Accidents happen, but reckless conduct that results in death is no accident. It is a crime.

I blame the parents for spending too much time golfing at Crestwood.

I feel so sad for this young man and his family.I'm a parent with children and This young man didn't want his friend to died. He has to live with this the rest of his life. Putting him in the ACI isn't going to help him. What is this State coming to,maybe the AG office need a change.

How proud his parents must be!!!

While Ryan showed a significant lack of common sense I don't think it is necessary to assume that his parents are being to lax with him. It was 5:15 in the evening. Hardly an inappropriate time for a teen to be out and about. I doubt Ryan asked permission to go drink. His parents may be supervising him as well as any of us could. But we can't legislate good judgement or protect a self-destructive teen from himself.

I can't believe you are all so quick to assume that Ryan's parents are negligent. If you have actual knowledge that they are condoning or ignoring underage drinking or bad behavior then say so. Otherwise, consider for a moment that they may be doing and saying the same things that any appropriate parent would in this situation. But short of tailing them 24/7 how can we ever know that our kids are not doing something stupid. Usually kids screw up not because of their parents but in spite of them.
Are each of you critical individuals willing to shoulder full blame for every mistake your kids have made or will make? If so then when do "kids" become fully responsible for their own actions? All of the adult drunk drivers/murderers/rapists/thieves and politicians have parents----so is it their parents who are actually responsible for their crimes? Each of you critical, vindictive individuals have parents so is it their fault you are so self-righteous and cruel?
People of all ages do inexplicable and stupid things at times, especially youth who tend to live "in the moment" which prevents them from seeing the full context of their behavior. Yes Ryan was astonishingly clueless about the significance of his choice to drink---I feel sorry for him. Most of you have the benefit of wisdom gained with age---Ryan is young and unfortunately age alone doesn't confer maturity.

This whole situation truly disheartens me on a number of levels. First of all, the comments from the media and other sources are deplorable. Mr. Greenberg is clearly a troubled young man who was a victim of circumstances. As for last summer, I do not believe that there is a single citizen of the state of RI who honestly believes that his intentions were malicious. Quite the contrary in fact. On the other hand, it is CLEAR that Mr. Greenberg was acting irresponsibly and NOT in coherence with the law, but I do not believe that murder chargers are appropriate. HE IS NOT GUILTY OF MURDER. He is guilty of poor decision making, and the consequences should fit the crime.

On the other hand, his recent bout of even more poor decision making can be looked at from several different angles; he is either very, very stupid, or he is suffering from something deeper than stupidity. The correct thing for the state to do would be to rehabilitate him, teach him the error of his ways.

He lost his friend last summer; IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. PERIOD. He's probably been suffering ever sense. There is NO need to throw him in the ACI with hardened criminals when it is NECESSARY TO REHABILITATE HIM!

He does need to face consequences, and I do not believe that the judge should grant him bail. He should be put, however, in a place that will help him rather than damage him further.

I lived in Barrington back in the 1960's. Mixed class town back then. Looks like it's turned into the Hyannis Port of RI. Render this little puke Greenberg.

San Diego Pedro

I am from a city outside of your state. Frankly, after reading the comments from those who appear to be living in Barrington, I am astounded. Half of them seem to be illiterate with no writing skills or ways in which to properly express their thoughts. Are these the people to whom Barrington residents should be listening?
Obviously, Ryan Greenberg has a serious alcohol addiction and it may well be that his parents are unable to control him - that is common for alcoholics until they recognize they have a problem and are willing to confront it. Have your readers never made mistakes in their lives? Ryan needs help. Punishment is clearly also required but only in relation to his offense of flouting bail conditions. Ryan would be better suited to rehab and therapy at this point.

It's understandable for many to believe that this incident was truly an accident. However there is a reason why the accusation is murder not manslaughter. For example the DA could easily make an example out of Mr. Greenberg by simply charging him with manslaughter. Why would they go even further to the charge of second degree murder if they had no evidence to support that claim. I'm sure the DA has a fairly strong case worked up against Mr. Greenberg, that of which, they will use in court to back this very serious accusation. To assume that Ryan Greenberg's incident was an accident is saying that the DA has absolutely no reason to formulate such a charge. Would the DA really just waste court time and fees in order to simply accuse someone of something that they didn't have evidence to support? This is going in front of a Grand Jury when they refute this charge then we can entertain the thought of using the word, "accident" but until that happens I believe this could have been second degree murder and the accusation should not be so quickly dismissed.