Not All Vigilante Justice is Rewarded

Jose Carrasquillo -- the man accused of raping and 11-year-old girl -- faced a judge for his preliminary hearing Friday.

He was captured when a Kensington mob took justice into their own hands by beating and holding the 26-year-old until police arrived. The beating was caught on tape. The vigilantes were rewarded with $11,500, but when Antwoine Hough did the same in a different case, he was charged with a series of felonies, according to Philly.com.

Last year, Hough and his family beat and contained a neighbor accused of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old niece. He has since spent more than $10,000 on his bail, as well as court fees after being charged with kidnapping, assault, disorderly conduct and drugs and weapons offenses, reported the paper.

"This is my niece. She's like a daughter to me. Seeing someone else rewarded for what I did . . . these guys were caught on tape beating this guy up," said Hough.

So what's different? Well, that's what the Hough family want to know.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey admits that matters of vigilante justice are often sticky.

"I think you have to look at what's reasonable in terms of actions taken by members of the public," Ramsey said.

So for now, Antwoine Hough is forced to watch as Philadelphia praises the heroes in Kensington for their part in the containment of Jose Carrasquillo while he awaits his July 24 trial. And although defending and protecting his niece and supporting his family has took quite a toll on his finances, he told the paper it was worth it.

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