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2 men tried to kill their dad, police say

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published February 22, 2007


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Eric Hadley says he walked out his front door and into an ambush set up by his two sons Tuesday evening.

Hadley, 42, recently took out a $75,000 loan. The construction worker said he's buying a new house and had purchased a new Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2006 Dodge Magnum.

That type of spending upset his sons, 21-year-old Eric Newkirk and 18-year-old Corey Hadley, police say. The sons wanted the money for themselves, according to investigators.

So as soon as Hadley stepped out of his home at 4042 Second Ave. S Tuesday night, his son Eric fired several shots at him with a silver-colored handgun. He missed.

But then, St. Petersburg police said, Hadley's two sons punched and kicked him, knocking out a front tooth. They took his wristwatch and a gold ring, worth a total of $2,000.

St. Petersburg police are searching for the two men. They could face charges of attempted first-degree murder.

Hadley says he's distraught by the attack and wants his sons to be punished by the law. He separated from their mother about 10 years ago, but still stays in touch with them regularly.

"I've been living a long time, and I never had an enemy do this to me," he said. "I want them to be prosecuted. Fully."

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 01:33:50]


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Comments on this article
by Yalonda 02/23/07 09:22 PM
This is a bunch of bull this man knows that it didn't happen that way. Did he tell officals what he did. He's a liar so do'nt believe him. He is a crack smoker .
by Christina 02/22/07 07:57 PM
People who beat their children are a poor excuse for parents. Perhaps if you were educated better you would know how to raise kids properly and not have to strike them.
by Tubby 02/22/07 06:19 PM
Remember, these are not kids! They are legally adults. Track em' down and prosecute them! They'll grow up quick behind bars.
by K-Kism 02/22/07 05:37 PM
Honor thy Mother and Father. It is a shame that a parent would have this happen to them. The Mother could be the reason for such anger. Next time, I recommend the "Marvin Gaye" Daddy tool
by Gilbert 02/22/07 05:36 PM
Perhaps Mr. Hadley should use that money to hire someone to do what he should've done to those rotten kids.
by Rob 02/22/07 05:02 PM
They did not try to kill they're father, he never paid attention to his son's and daughter's i think he got what he deserved by his's son's...He just got out of prison and he havent spent over 48hours with his two son's
by Juan 02/22/07 04:58 PM
Corey told me that they didnt take no watch n it wasnt over money n they didnt jump him his brother fought him...he tells me stories about how his dad yells at em over the phone so its just stress
by susan 02/22/07 04:45 PM
hey rick, this father wasn't hurt by a gun, he was kicked and punched by his sons. if the father had a gun, he may have prevented the attack. take your self-righteous diatribe somewhere else.
by Amber 02/22/07 04:07 PM
Wow - that's pretty sad considering they are his sons. Moreover, they are both legal adults. Those are two kids that were obviously never raised to work for the things they have! How could you do that to your own dad? Hopefully they are caught soon
by anne 02/22/07 03:31 PM
I agree with Joe, Parents are really giving into their kids way too much. These kids nowadays don't even want to work. And they want..what the parents have.I am glad I raised my kids the old fasion way.This,"Time Out" Bull Sh_t, is for the birds.
by vic 02/22/07 11:50 AM
Eric hadley has been along time friend of mine and school mate eric never messed with anyone he is a good guy he did not deserve this and i feel he should press charges this was totally uncalled for and they should be punished to the highest extent
by Dave 02/22/07 10:52 AM
Spare the rod, molly coddle the the rotten. This is what you get. Corporal punishment has it place. Record numbers of children diagnosed with ADHD. This number could be eliminated with a quick and judicial spanking. A sting on the butt helps focus.
by Juanita 02/22/07 10:43 AM
I agree they need to be stopped now and punished. If they do this to their father, what will they do next, or have already done.
by Karen 02/22/07 10:34 AM
This is just so sad. The pain of it being his own sons must hurt worse than the wounds.
by GM 02/22/07 10:30 AM
"PRAYER".."PRAYER"..."PRAYER"
by Joe 02/22/07 09:46 AM
Kids and been given way to much now days and do not want to work for anything. Kid's killing parents because they earned the right to have nice things.
by Rick 02/22/07 08:29 AM
Isn't it nice to have so many guns in this city? Makes it kind of exciting kust to walk out the door. Wow, poor dude, his own sons, too. Oh beautiful for spacious skies...
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