http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2009/05/02/news/doc49fbd2ec97716000632425.txt?viewmode=fullstory

NORRISTOWN — While police move closer to making arrests in the near-fatal beating of a 15-year-old in the West End of town Monday, the victim’s older sister held a vigil that drew 150 to 200 people outside the family’s home in the 700 block of Chain Street.

“The purpose was to tell people that violence is not the answer, because this is the outcome,” said Michelle Nguyen, who added that approximately $1,240.86 was raised to help the family defray mounting medical costs.

She said her brother, 15-year-old Alex Nguyen, is slowly but steadily improving the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“Right now, he’s doing good,” she said. “He’s still on life support, but my mom said that he squeezed her hand that he also lifted his arm. Also, when they went to turn him over, he tried to push them away.”

She indicated that doctors were keeping her brother, a freshman at Norristown Area High School, in an induced coma to help with his recovery.

“I think so … because of pressure on his brain,” she said.

According to Norristown Chief of Police Russell J. Bono, the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the area of Main, Chain and Lafayette streets.

He added that police believe between 10 and 17 youths were involved in the incident, and were between the ages of 14 and 17.

“My little brother was with his friends,” said Michelle Nguyen, who said that another group of youths from the neighborhood then approached.

“His friends ran,” she explained. “I guess Alex didn’t. Some of his friends said that they thought Alex ran, too.”

Surrounded, Alex Nguyen took a beating so severe that a responding police officer revived him at the scene.

“There were no weapons, as far as we know,” said Bono. “Just hands and feet.”

Michelle Nguyen hinted the incident had a “gang” element.

“It might be,” she admitted. “I think so. I think it’s retaliation for something.”

Bono was initially disappointed with the level of cooperation, but the investigation has progressed.

“We’re not ready to make any arrests yet, but we are making progress,” he said.

Michelle Nguyen sounded upbeat about that progress.

“I think they have six people who they know were there,” she said.

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2009/05/22/news/doc4a1630c918e79202650130.txt?viewmode=fullstory

By KEITH PHUCAS
Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE — Two juveniles pleaded guilty Wednesday at a juvenile court hearing to their part in a near-fatal beating of a Norristown teenager in April. Two other defendants also being held at Montgomery County Youth Center had their hearings continued, according to county Assistant District Attorney Julie Faulkner.

During the assault April 27, a group of teenagers, who ranged in age from 13 to 17, were “stomping, kicking and punching” 15-year-old Alex Nguyen in the head in the vicinity of Main, Chain and Lafayette streets, according to Norristown police Chief Russell Bono.

While police were on the scene following the beating, Nguyen stopped breathing and had to be revived by a Norristown Officer Rick Quiles-Rosa.

The injured teenager was hospitalized at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and was initially on life support. Recently, he was transferred to Magee Rehabilitation center in the city where he is undergoing physical rehab treatment, according to his sister Michelle Nguyen. Doctors have told the family the boy suffered no permanent brain damage.

On Wednesday, a 16-year-old girl, who reportedly admitted stomping on Nguyen’s head, pleaded guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault and riot. Norristown police have described her as a principal attacker with three others.

A second juvenile pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors — simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, Faulkner said.

Norristown detectives along with Montgomery County Detectives James Carbo and Michael Altieri conducted an intense investigation into the brutality in the days following the beating, and 21 juveniles were arrested 11 days later. Detectives interviewed about 40 people during the investigation, according to Detective Lt. Kevin McKeon, who commands Norristown’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Besides the teenage girl, three other alleged principal attackers include two 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy. The four were originally charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, riot and persistent disorderly conduct.

Seventeen others were charged with riot and disorderly conduct in the incident. All 21 juveniles accused of the beating attend schools in Norristown Area School District. The victim is a freshman at Norristown Area High School.

The victim was associated with a group of youths on Chain Street who had reportedly fought with Lafayette Street juveniles twice earlier on the day of the beating, according to police. The attack took place at 8:40 p.m. that Monday.

The victim’s sister said Alex, who is more coherent than in past weeks, is monitored 24 hours a day by a nurse. He is undergoing physical and speech therapy, and recently has begun to talk to friends and family.

“He can talk for a while, but then he gets tired,” Nguyen said.

Either nursing staff or family members accompany the injured teen when he walks.

“He can’t really walk straight,” she said.

She said he recalls getting beat up, but doctors have instructed visitors or callers not to discuss this with him, though some friends have called his cell phone and talk about it anyway.

Since being injured, his temper flares up and he insults nurses or family, his sister said.

“In order for him to go home, his temper has to go down,” she said.

Previously, he was on medicine that kept him sedated. The orbital bones surrounding his eyes were fractured as a result of the attack.

Days after the assault, the victim’s family held a vigil outside their Chain Street home and decried the violence. About 150 to 200 people attended (see “Vigil held for injured teen” video onwww.timesherald.com).

Though the juveniles have been arrested and charged, McKeon said detectives are still investigating the case.

The next adjudication hearing at the county Youth Center is scheduled for May 29.

Miserable. Absolutely miserable. It's not the end of the world, I know. But I like just 'being there' for my besties. Even though I am still 'there' for them, it just doesn't feel right anymore with josh...

Ok, here i am continuing to talk about a boy and ya-de-ada like all of my other blogs. But quite frankly this seems to be my only outlet when I'm up late at night overthinking.

I liked supporting him from here...and this sounds crazy but I want to be there to support him while he's at training or even deployed. But, just because we are not going out, doesn't mean that I have to stop supporting him. I still do and I always will support him. It's just not the same..the support from being in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship isn't there. I know he doesn't want me to 'suffer' from months of no communication and fear of death and all of that stuff, but isn't that just a part of life? The risk of death? Taking chances?

Today, a pedestrian was hit by a car at the end of my street. I was able to see the accident from my dorm patio. She probably suffered from fractures and probably will have a lot of neck pain from the recoil, but I think she will be okay. There's always the chance that she could've died. In an instant. You know, even though Josh can be killed through being deployed, I can be just as likely to be killed in a car accident or end up having a medical problem. Point is, it's like anticipating that he'll be gone from this world before I would. But my chances of being gone before him can be the same. I can go on about this forever, but honestly I don't think I'm missing out on this college life. I hate it anyway.