Authorities say two 17-year-old cousins severely beat two homeless men beneath a railroad bridge in St. Augustine.

If these two men are guilty of this attack, they ought to spend a very large part of the remainder of their lives locked away from the rest of society. It is just so past time to start dropping a heavy greybar hammer on violent thugs; not only does it rid our streets of those prone to violence but it also sends a powerful message to those who might be contemplating this kind of vicious stupidity themselves.... St. Augustine cousins charged in homeless beating Associated Press - August 26, 2008 12:24 PM ET

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say two 17-year-old cousins severely beat two homeless men beneath a railroad bridge in St. Augustine.

The two men were in critical condition with head injuries Tuesday after deputies say they were beaten with a shopping cart, a board, rolled-up fencing and a bicycle. A third man with minor injuries was able to run away and get help.

Jontae Anderson and Reginald Anderson were found several blocks away from Monday night's attack. They were charged with aggravated battery and attempted robbery. They were booked into the state Department of Juvenile Justice facility.

Information from: The Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com

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Related To Story

• Video: 3 Transients Beaten In St. Johns County

4 Teens Accused Of Beating 3 Homeless Men

2 Victims In Critical Condition After Attack

POSTED: 9:20 am EDT August 26, 2008

UPDATED: 9:11 pm EDT August 26, 2008

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Three homeless people were hurt -- two hospitalized in critical condition -- after they were beaten by four teenagers -- two of them cousins -- on Monday night, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. The beating happened about 11:15 p.m. along railroad tracks behind the Cobblestone Village Shopping Center on state Road 312. Deputies said the transients were approached while they were sleeping underneath a railroad bridge and beaten with a board, a shopping cart and other objects. Andrew Christianson, 43, and Andrew Robert, 53, were hospitalized at Flagler Hospital with what were described as major injuries.Michael McMeans, 31, had only minor injuries and was able to get to a Hooter’s restaurant at the shopping center and get help. Deputies said he refused medical treatment.Deputies they arrested Jontae Anderson and Reginald Anderson, both 17, several blocks away. They were charged aggravated battery and attempted robbery and booked into a state Department of Juvenile Justice facility. Tuesday afternoon, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office announced two more arrests. These 16- and 15-year-olds were also charged with attempted robbery and aggravated battery. By policy, Channel 4 will not release their names unless they are charged as adults. The victims told investigators they were punched and kicked and struck with a large stick. One said that three young people threw him down a concrete embankment. According to Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, a teenage boy and girl were also at the scene during the beating. They were questioned and released."(They) stood by and watched, but in no way participated in the acts," Mulligan said. "In some ways, (they) may have tried to verbally stop it." Deputies said a transient camp is located near the site of the beatings."(The victims) don't have nothing to their name, anyhow," said long-time St. Augustine resident Stephen Reed. "I don't understand why people would go about doing things like that."The Andersons are both students at St. Augustine High School.