In Prison for life

[ImprobableJoe]

Personally, I think each child should be sentenced according to the circumstances and severity of THEIR crime. The court should also take into consideration, not only the age of the accused, but whether the child shows or is capable of feeling remorse or not, if there was willful intent at the time of his/her actions...etc. Nowadays, there are far too many prosecutors that only want the 'win' on their resumes, too many judges wanting to 'make an example' out of this ONE, district attorneys that want to brag, during election time, at how tough on crime they are...that kids are getting caught up in the politics, rather then getting the proper punishment/sentencing/rehab. Granted, there are some kids that are flat-out too dangerous and will never respond to corrective measures. But, not all, should be judged so unfairly and handed life sentences.

In this case, it sounds like, from the information given, that they were horsing around and it got out of hand, quickly. While this boy does deserve to be punished. I don't think he deserves any harsher treatment than the average adult does. The sentence range for adults, averages from 10-25 years and most are granted the chance for parole. Being that this kid doesn't have a prior history of violence, why doesn't he deserve a second chance to prove himself, as well?

How many of us are glad that someone gave us a second chance?

I'm someone who has gotten quite a few chances... not over anything this serious, but still. The point is that for me, 14 was two decades ago. I can't even pretend that I have any idea who that guy was, even though I lived it myself. Raging hormones, lack of maturity, no concept of who I was or who anyone else was, and convinced that everything going on around me was the most important thing ever... I guess I had a pretty normal upbringing. I can't comprehend a group of adults pretending that a 14 year old should be locked away forever, because that kid probably changed a whole lot in the time between the arrest and the conviction. The person in jail isn't even the same person they arrested.

 

[felixthecoach]

he entire idea is just fucking stupid.

Agreed. Which is why I'm so vehemently defending my position that this was handled too harshly.

 

[PuppetXeno]

I can't comprehend a group of adults pretending that a 14 year old should be locked away forever, because that kid probably changed a whole lot in the time between the arrest and the conviction. The person in jail isn't even the same person they arrested.

Doesn't mean that the person in jail is mentally healthy enough to walk free. Ofcourse MOST 14-year olds will grow out of it and it MAY be the case here. So yes ofcourse his case should be thoroughly investigated, that should always happen. I'm not going to repeat myself over and over again, but hopeless cases DO EXIST. And that may also be the case here. And hopeless cases do not grow out of it, not now, not tomorrow, not next year or fifty years from now. They're fucked up, period. No councelling, no medication, no brain surgery can ever help them. They're like a car with no brakes: essential parts are missing. I can't comprehend that people can't comprehend this.

 

[felixthecoach]

They're like a car with no brakes: essential parts are missing. I can't comprehend that people can't comprehend this.

I was not aware of any posts saying that hopeless cases did not exist. I'm well aware of the implications of AsPD and Sociopathology. I understand that people who are diagnosed with this "disorder" will probably not be "cured". You're right, he may be beyond help, but I think the general consensus, like you said, is that this case seems to have holes.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

Doesn't mean that the person in jail is mentally healthy enough to walk free. Ofcourse MOST 14-year olds will grow out of it and it MAY be the case here. So yes ofcourse his case should be thoroughly investigated, that should always happen. I'm not going to repeat myself over and over again, but hopeless cases DO EXIST. And that may also be the case here. And hopeless cases do not grow out of it, not now, not tomorrow, not next year or fifty years from now. They're fucked up, period. No councelling, no medication, no brain surgery can ever help them. They're like a car with no brakes: essential parts are missing. I can't comprehend that people can't comprehend this.

You make a pointless point, that's the part you are missing. I don't think anyone disagrees with you. That's why we have psych evals and a parole process. No one is saying that if a 14 year old stabs someone, you just shrug your shoulders and let him go. You also don't lock him up and throw away the key. There is a gigantic expanse of middle ground that could have been applied in this case, and should have been applied.

 

[felixthecoach]

There is a gigantic expanse of middle ground that could have been applied in this case, and should have been applied

Yes! I'm very tempted to say that there was a race issue to the sentencing for this boy. I cant get it out of my head that had it been the other way around where the white 17 year old had killed the black 14 year old there would be a parole hearing in a few years. (i'm sure this statement is a huge magnet for criticism)

You make a pointless point

you make a repeated, redundancy. :lol:

 

[ImprobableJoe]

you make a repeated, redundancy.

It is too early for cleverisms.