no bad boys

BOSTON, April 1992: A 17-year-old is among those charged with beating to death a father of three at a fast-food restaurant. Sister: "He's a good kid."

LEVITTOWN, NEW YORK, April 1992: A 16-year-old is accused of starting a fight over a gold chain that leaves a man dead from a stab wound to the heart. Attorney: "He is a good kid."

CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY, April 1992: A 17-year-old is accused of asking a classmate to recite the Hail Mary in a darkened car, then strangling him. Mother: "He's been a wonderful child."

CHICAGO, August 1991: A 15-year-old is accused of locking his sister in a bath-room for several hours, throwing bleach on her, spraying insecticide in her face, pouring ammonia down her throat, then stabbing her 42 times. Neighbor: "He's a good kid."

BOSTON, April 1991: A 15-year-old is charged with shooting two teens to death in an argument over a girl. Youth worker: "He's a good kid."

SEATTLE, December 1990: A 13-year-old drops a 16-pound rock from an overpass, hits a car and kills a father of seven. Mother: "He's a good kid."

THERMOPOLIS, WYOMING, November 1990: A 15-year-old is charged with shooting his stepmother and three brothers after a quarrel. Guidance counselor: "He was pretty much a wonderful kid."

NEW YORK, September 1990: An 18-year-old and his friend stab a tourist to death at a subway station. Mother: "My son is a very good kid."

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK, August 1990: A 15-year-old and two friends are charged with killing a taxi driver with a single gunshot to the back of his head after robbing him of $11.21. Neighbor: "Gee, he always impressed me as a good kid."

LOS ANGELES, May 1990: A 19-year-old is accused of speeding into an intersection while on LSD, killing a pregnant driver and seriously injuring a woman waiting for a bus. High school teacher: "She seemed very conscientious and just a good kid."