Let's Talk A Bit About Jennifer Pratt

[DarkDante]

This is a very early case I believe from the first season involving a girl hit by a 2x4 while riding on a motorbike with her boyfriend Curtis Kroft. I know we all talk about the most shocking moments on UM relating to everything from the segments themselves to the artist renderings of the criminals but to me the most shocking moment occurs in this segment when comparing the original photographs of Ms. Pratt (another girl who wore that big 80s hairstyle very well) to the interviews after the attack. I'm not trying to insinuate anything here but seeing Jenny Pratt in that state after the incident was truly a shocking moment for me and one I'm likely not soon to forget.

But back to the case Curtis was driving Jenny home when they were attacked by a bunch of teenagers in a pickup truck who whacked them with a 2x4 since Jenny was "seated" behidn Curtis she took the brunt of the blow. She had to be emergency lifted to the hospital and ended up in a coma and with significant brain damage which left her with several severe physical and mental functioning problems which unfortunatley probably persist to this day. In laymans terms from how the segment portrayed it Jenny Pratt's injuries would be akin to someone suffering a stroke.

The really upsetting thing about this crime is it occured I believe in 1988 and is very solveable in fact I join many in believing Curtis Kroft who was a drug informant was the intended target of the attack and has to know who attacked him or have a pretty good idea. In fact there are probably dozens of kids from that area (friends of Curtis and Jenny) would know who these teenagers were that attacked Jenny Pratt. Curtis at the time of the attack was being threatened by teens he informed on and at one point even admitted to police he knew who attacked him before clamming up and saying he was pressured into these statements. At some point one has to wonder what are these people so afraid of? - I mean we are not talking hardened criminals or a professional hit here but stupid moronic kids who were out for a joyride and probably thought they'd pull a funny stunt and attempt to knock Curtis off his bike. I doubt they heavily considered the kind of implications that the wooden board would have upon impact and I doubt that now almost twenty years after the fact that they want to face the repercussions of this juvenile act.

The thing is twenty years later what do the other occupants in the truck have to be afraid of: I mean knowing they totally destroyed a beautiful young lady's life is a heavy weight to carry on your chest and twenty years later they might no longer even associate with the person who actually hit Jenny with that board. (which according to the segment was the only person the police were actively searching for). In addition why isn't Curtis Kroft talking if he knows something. Possibly these people now in their early thirties and in Curtis's case approaching fourty don't want to impact their lives (possibly they have families by this point) by dregging up something that is "ancient history". The problem is it isn't ancient history to Jenny Pratt and her family and as Jenny herself says in the segment that someone stepping forward to identify the attackers would be extremely important to her.

To me it's unfathomable that this crime hasn't been solved as it is truly one of the saddest cases ever profiled on UM. It is interesting to note that both Jennifer Pratt and Curtis Kroft both still reside in the Carlsbad, CA area so maybe this crime is still solveable all these years later.

Later.

[U.M. Fanatic]

I know what you mean DarkDante, this was an absolutely senseless crime. (as so many of these cases are) Seeing the before and after photos of Jennifer was shocking to me too. A crime is always solvable as long as someone is still on the case, there is always hope. It just amazes me that after 20 plus years nobody has come forward with more information regarding this heinous act.

[New Brandon]

Is it okay that I dig this up? If not, my apologies.

I just saw this segment and it was, as Dante said, shocking. I've met people with brain damage and this wasn't a mild case of it. Jenny's mom even alluded that she'd almost rather Jenny had died. (And I think that's common among those who suffer from brain damage.)

I agree, this case is 100% solvable... Why hasn't it been solved? Perhaps because it's not a homicide and maybe not a priority. And poor Jenny has to sit around and wait while the people who ruined her life run free. It is a very sad story.

At the beginning of the segment, I actually thought it was another one of those boyfriend-killing-girlfriend stories, as her mom mentioned how skeptical she was about him being 24 and everything.

[wiseguy182]

New Brandon, it's perfectly ok to dig up old posts - happens farily frequently

I believe that at least one person, probably even multiple persons, know exactly who did this to Jenny Pratt. My answer to the why hasn't this case been solved yet question is this: I might be going out on a bit of a limb here, but I think the person or persons who know what happened aren't telling because they don't want to be labeled a "narc". There is a fear aspect that might be a part of it, but when you think about it, it is very unpopular to be caught "telling", at least in grade school: and a lot of the kids that were interviewed by police were in grade school. I think the whole "don't tell because it's not cool" mentality of a lot of schools is ridicioulous. It basically tells peole to just cope with whatever happens to them while the bad guys run free. Absurd.

[SitcomsAreTheWay]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

New Brandon, it's perfectly ok to dig up old posts - happens farily frequently

I believe that at least one person, probably even multiple persons, know exactly who did this to Jenny Pratt. My answer to the why hasn't this case been solved yet question is this: I might be going out on a bit of a limb here, but I think the person or persons who know what happened aren't telling because they don't want to be labeled a "narc". There is a fear aspect that might be a part of it, but when you think about it, it is very unpopular to be caught "telling", at least in grade school: and a lot of the kids that were interviewed by police were in grade school. I think the whole "don't tell because it's not cool" mentality of a lot of schools is ridicioulous. It basically tells peole to just cope with whatever happens to them while the bad guys run free. Absurd.

I think it's ridiculous that such a phrase exists. AMW had segment regarding this same subject. There is a phrase "Stop Snitching" and it's idiotic. To top it off, the same man who created the t-shirt baring the phrase is calling an end to all of the senseless violence and in my opinion, he's no better because he's actually contributing to it by having created the shirt in the first place. Seems to me as if he's glorifying it.

It's been so long since this incident occurred and Jennifer's parents have to be quite frustrated as well as angry that the suspects have yet to be caught. I've always felt that Curtis Kroft truly didn't didn't care about Jennifer's well-being and considering the fact that he had been hanging out with the wrong crowd anyway, how could he have been taken seriously?

[UMLongtimefan]

I think it's ridiculous that such a phrase exists. AMW had segment regarding this same subject. There is a phrase "Stop Snitching" and it's idiotic. To top it off, the same man who created the t-shirt baring the phrase is calling an end to all of the senseless violence and in my opinion, he's no better because he's actually contributing to it by having created the shirt in the first place. Seems to me as if he's glorifying it.

There is always a counter culture and those who want to make money off of it. Whether it be multinational corporations trooping back to make sales at Woodstock's anniversay or street vendors selling shirts that say "Stick it to the Man".

Sadly that culture can do some very serious damage in their rejectionist efforts. I certainly understand those square pegs who want to resist being pounded into round holes in fact many of us cheer for them, but when it comes to damaging other people (whether its the stop snicthing or peer pressuring children to become disinterested in their education) then it needs to be spoken out against.

[greatgarrett2]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

New Brandon, it's perfectly ok to dig up old posts - happens farily frequently

I believe that at least one person, probably even multiple persons, know exactly who did this to Jenny Pratt. My answer to the why hasn't this case been solved yet question is this: I might be going out on a bit of a limb here, but I think the person or persons who know what happened aren't telling because they don't want to be labeled a "narc". There is a fear aspect that might be a part of it, but when you think about it, it is very unpopular to be caught "telling", at least in grade school: and a lot of the kids that were interviewed by police were in grade school. I think the whole "don't tell because it's not cool" mentality of a lot of schools is ridicioulous. It basically tells peole to just cope with whatever happens to them while the bad guys run free. Absurd.

Exaclty. Her life is now ruined by something that she probably wasn't even involved in if the board was aimed at Curtis in the first place. She might have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Too bad.....it seems she had potential to become a model. But, that's beside the point, tho. When she was struck with that board on that warm night, something was taken away from her.....her livleyhood. Your brain is the center of your intellect, creativity and personality. And, most of it is taken away in a couple seconds. This case touched me deeply, as I have it in my collections.

Now, nobody seems to want to talk and her attacker(s) are now running free, while, if I recall, it took around a year for her to properly walk and talk. All that time she had to invest to regain her 'freedom', while her attacker(s) never once spent a day in jail. That's not justice. She's walking around with a brain injury and SHE'S the one apparently paying the price, all because of one fateful night.

I just wish one could place the attacker(s) in her shoes for one day or more and see the carnage they've caused.

[DarkDante]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

New Brandon, it's perfectly ok to dig up old posts - happens farily frequently

I believe that at least one person, probably even multiple persons, know exactly who did this to Jenny Pratt. My answer to the why hasn't this case been solved yet question is this: I might be going out on a bit of a limb here, but I think the person or persons who know what happened aren't telling because they don't want to be labeled a "narc". There is a fear aspect that might be a part of it, but when you think about it, it is very unpopular to be caught "telling", at least in grade school: and a lot of the kids that were interviewed by police were in grade school. I think the whole "don't tell because it's not cool" mentality of a lot of schools is ridicioulous. It basically tells peole to just cope with whatever happens to them while the bad guys run free. Absurd.

The thing is Croft would now be in his early fourties and Jenny Pratt and most of their friends just a bit younger. Its time to figure out what happened here I mean so many years have passed although then again maybe the people who are aware of whom harmed Jenny just wanna "leave the event in the past".

Croft and Pratt still live in Carlsbad, California to this day apparently. Also Kane mentioned that Jenny Pratt was also on a special edition of "Unsolved Mysteries" done around the holidays (I forgot whether it was Christmas or Thanksgiving) several years after the original segment aired. Stack apparently began close with the family and invited them back on the show but according to Kane the case was still not updated at that time and this was a number of years after the original case aired I believe.

Oh yeah and GG I agree prior to the accident Jenny was quite pretty but thats not the point here as you said.

[greatgarrett2]

Originally Posted by DarkDante

Croft and Pratt still live in Carlsbad, California to this day apparently. Also Kane mentioned that Jenny Pratt was also on a special edition of "Unsolved Mysteries" done around the holidays (I forgot whether it was Christmas or Thanksgiving) several years after the original segment aired. Stack apparently began close with the family and invited them back on the show

Yes, I think I've seen that special segment when I was younger. Stack was on camera with Jenny, interviewing her. That was sad. Sad, sad case. I don't have it in my collection now, though (I have the segment but not the special). Stack was close with the family?

[DarkDante]

^ Well I assume so if he invited them back onto the program. That was NOT a common thing apparently. I'm not saying they were "best friends" or anything but given the circumstances and what a geniune human being Robert Stack seemed to be, I can't help but think that he felt some degree of compassion towards them and their situation.

I mean this girl was nearly killed in a senseless attack, ended up severly brain damaged and her family was nearly crippled by the medical bills as well as Stack mentioned in the original segment. So yeah I assume that that the family either stayed in touch if not with RS then with someone on the UM production team because the "inviting back" scenerio didn't happen anytime else I don't think...could be wrong though

Also I can't say how I know this but the case is apparently still unsolved to this day which to me is just tragic.

[Huskerz85]

I feel compelled to bring this particular thread up again after 7 months, because unfortunatly........there are some (albeit thin) paraells between my life & that of Curtis Kroft.....

I didn't always hang around the best crowd back in my HS days and I'll freely admit that weed & other such trash had an influence on those I hung around with....

Anyways.......one night, a handful of these idiots piled into a van and thought it'd be fun to drop rocks off an interstate overpass. Well one of the 'rocks' happened to be a landscaping boulder a little bigger than a brick....it ended up crashing through a lady's windshield and snapping her neck.

The cops came upon two kids who were on the 'fringes' of the group (i.e. they just hung around for kicks) and with a bit of pressure, turned them quite easily and now, the ringleader is serving out a 12yr sentence for manslaughter.

The feelings I have towards idiots who do this kind of BS and think it'll never hurt anyone, or never hurt anyone 'that bad', are indescribable.........

I wonder now, about Jennifer Pratt's quality of life and if, like her mother said, it "really is living at all....."

Like Dante said, I wonder what Curtis really had to be afraid of in the first place? Sure, he may have been somewhat of an idiot who made bad choices and associated w/the wrong kind of people......but if a gang of kids his age were truly the only ones responsible......then how likely is it that said kids could've sought retribution once Law Enforcement got hold of them?

Curtis Kroft is a two-faced coward and although he can't change the fact that his one time girlfriend now lives with the mental capacity of a child, his refusal to give up the people who did this, condemns Jenny and her family to a lifetime of anguish

[RightOnDude]

Originally Posted by Huskerz85

I feel compelled to bring this particular thread up again after 7 months, because unfortunatly........there are some (albeit thin) paraells between my life & that of Curtis Kroft.....

I didn't always hang around the best crowd back in my HS days and I'll freely admit that weed & other such trash had an influence on those I hung around with....

Anyways.......one night, a handful of these idiots piled into a van and thought it'd be fun to drop rocks off an interstate overpass. Well one of the 'rocks' happened to be a landscaping boulder a little bigger than a brick....it ended up crashing through a lady's windshield and snapping her neck.

The cops came upon two kids who were on the 'fringes' of the group (i.e. they just hung around for kicks) and with a bit of pressure, turned them quite easily and now, the ringleader is serving out a 12yr sentence for manslaughter.

The feelings I have towards idiots who do this kind of BS and think it'll never hurt anyone, or never hurt anyone 'that bad', are indescribable.........

I remember this. It happened in FLA, right? The victim was a young lady who taught elementry school in Alabama I believe.

Some idiots can't look 2 seconds into the future and see what pain their "goofing around" might cause others for the rest of their life.

[Awsi Dooger]

Originally Posted by RightOnDude

Some idiots can't look 2 seconds into the future and see what pain their "goofing around" might cause others for the rest of their life.

No kidding. I was in Florida for the holidays this year and saw some geniuses firing guns into the air to celebrate New Year's Eve. Apparently that's very prevalent in Hispanic culture. Gravity never occurs to them. I read that it causes an average of two deaths and 25 injuries per year in Puerto Rico.

[AVERMAN]

I remember seeing this story on Aussie TV back in the 90's.

This is a really sad case, especially when Jennifer feels like she was actually targeted.

I believe this incident was a case of collateral damage, or a random attack. Maybe someone wanted Curtis gone, so they attacked them, hoping to get one of them, If they got Curtis, good, if they got Jennifer, then it would send Curtis a message. Sadly, they got Jennifer. This could also have been a random attack but it seems unlikely considering Curtis's history.

I believe Curtis knows who did this but is keeping quiet out of fear of reprisal.

Any news on this story?

[dynoguy88]

In the reenactment, it showed the idiots in the truck cheering as they drove off after attacking Jennifer and Curtis. If that is what in fact happened, were they too blind (or stupid) to see that it was Jennifer that took the major hit of the attack?

They MUST have been driving slow enough to realize this because like the segment said, if they were driving fast, the blow would have killed both of them.