(Detroit News) Warren — Authorities have charged four teens in connection with the beating death of a man Sunday over a $5 bag of marijuana, officials said.

The suspects have been identified as Kevin David Antone, 18, of Warren; Thomas Henry Post, 17, of Roseville; Jacob Steven Androsuk, 17, and Brandon Lee Ebel, 16, both of Warren, officials said.

All four face second-degree murder charges as well as a count of armed robbery and a count of conspiracy to commit robbery in the death of Michael Daniel McCarthy, 46, according to authorities. Second-degree murder is punishable by life in prison.

Police say the group of young men hit McCarthy over the head with a piece of cement, then stomped on him for several minutes, after he refused to hand over a bag of drugs provided by Ebel.

The argument began after Ebel showed up at his father’s home in the 8600 block of Stephens Street to sell his father a baggie of the drug, Dwyer said. McCarthy, a friend of the father, also took a bag.

The teen left, but then returned, angry, with three friends. The teens argued with McCarthy over the $5 bag before beating him and taking off.

The police chief in a statement said, “The loss of any life is tragic, but more often than not acts of extreme violence are the result of this type of criminal behavior involving drugs.”  Really?  I’ve purchased more than a few “baggies of the drug” and never once experienced any type of criminal behavior.

However, I was never forced to buy a baggie of weed from my friend’s teenage son, either.  Did the police chief ever stop to think that a 46-year-old man wouldn’t be buying marijuana from violent criminal teenagers if he could purchase it in a well-lit, secure marijuana store from another adult who checks ID?  When’s the last time you heard tell of four teenagers selling a six pack of beer to their old man and a six pack to his friend, then beating the friend to death over a dispute on the transaction?

Mr. President, these needless deaths could have been avoided if only you would stop laughing at people who advise you to embrace the idea of legalization.

SULLIVAN CITY – A 17-year-old boy is the only survivor of a police chase that ended in a rollover crash in Sullivan City. Police say the driver of a car refused to stop and the chase was on. They went down the expressway until the driver lost control and crashed near Showers Road.

The car rolled over several times killing the driver, 21-year-old Josh Pena, and a passenger, 18-year-old Pedro Trevino. There’s no word on the condition of the third passenger taken to the hospital. Police found 14 pounds of marijuana in the car.

I think it’s pretty obvious; if Marijuana were legal, these boys would still be alive.

How many more people will the Government kill, murder, execute, and cage (on purpose or accident) before the people of this country awaken to the war the against them and fight back? In case you weren’t aware, the government is at war with the citizens of the United States and these are two more casualties.

[I love this post from Dudemaster, but I can just hear the propaganda-soaked Joe Q. Public saying, "Well, if they didn't run from the cops, they wouldn't have wrecked their car and died."  But Dudemaster is exactly right; do you think these young men would have engaged in a high-speed chase over 14 cases of wine or 14 cases of beer?  Even at age 17, where his possession of wine and beer would be illegal, you can't imagine he'd have run from cops over it, can you?

Marijuana does not create crime.  Prohibition creates crime.  If you enacted decades-long mandatory minimum sentences for possession and sales of chocolate, this police chase and car wreck could've been over 14 pounds of chocolate bricks. -- "R"R]