You have kids out there who grew up in abusive environments, are homeless and drug afflicted. These kids usually lead a life of crime and end up committing murder. Here you have a young man who was an honor role student, had excellent attendance and friends. If we are sympathetic to this boy with supportive and loving parents, who killed for no apparent reason, then God help us all.

I can understand where everyone is coming from by saying that the child should be tried as an adult. But what some people don't realize is that prison makes a person worse off than he/she ever was. I knew of a person, something like a friend of an associate, who went to prison for about 3 years. When he got out, he was totally unlike the person he was when he went in. Now, from what I have heard since I have moved away, is that he is now serving a life sentence for being a habitual offender. I have always thought that prison was punishment but also rehabilitation. Why is it now like that? Why have some people become so 'institutalized'? Sorry to digress off the current thread, but my mind wonders about these types of things...

I'm sorry ladies, but I don't believe that a child should serve life behind bars. I understand the old saying *U lie in the bed U made* but come on, Its a child for petes sake. He made a mistake. he wasn't thinking as an adult but the child he is. I can't go into details like i want to about this topic because i am at work(in the file closet with my boss labtop, http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif but later on I will be back on here with more about my views and why i believe this is wrong. Bye

The things we do to post on GC, but I can't talk. I am in the middle of taking my C programming final. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/redface.gif



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Jade is the green of my eyes; Rein is the love that flows deeply within...

I understand your position. Looking at this case reminds me of the situation when the young black man/teenager killed the little girl (also, in Florida I believe). I keep thinking that these two young men are boys trapped in a man's body. Their psychological development is not up to speed with what we think it should be.

I believe this to be true because of the way that they talk and their gestures. Granted, it could be an act for their defense in the courtroom but in my opinion, they look as if they were not all there. Please tell me that someone understands what I'm trying to say?!

I seem to not be able to clearly articulate what I'm trying to express today!


[This message has been edited by Ania (edited May 10, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Ania (edited May 10, 2001).]

I just read on the net that he was convicted of second-degree murder. So, the prosecution did not get the first-degree murder conviction they were looking for.

he received 2 guilty verdicts, second degree murder and second degree aggravated assault. His sentencing is on June 29.

They said he will probably get 25 years minimum. It can carry a sentence of 25 years to life.

I am not really sure what my stance on all this is but I almost cried thinking about how this boy will be at least 40 when he gets out. I know that he still has his life as opposed to the man he killed. But sometimes I wonder if some of these kids resort to this from lack of parenting, guidance and love at home. Sure they know right from wrong and that death is final, but I wonder if they've been taught any other way to handle their emotions or deal with problems. I only say this because I believe most parents today are crappy. They want to have children, feed and cloth them but that's it. They are selfish and do not want to put their own desires and feelings aside for their children's well-being which is absolutely wrong. I just know of a lot of kids that while they know right from wrong, they still do wrong because they just want attention any way they can get it or they're just so confused by all of their emotions and they have no one to help them through it so they do whatever. I just feel for everyone involved.

Ok with that logic, since girls mature faster than boys anyways a 13 or 14 year old girl who has sex with a 20 or older male is not being raped because she has the mental capacity to make that decision as an adult. Gee that statement I just made is ludicrous. Just about as unbelievable is the fact that a 13 or 14 year old male has the mental ability of an adult. This is not justifying what he did. The child did a crime and he should be punished and rehabilitated.

Those are two entirely different situations. You cant really compare.

Granted, at 13 or 14 the brain is NOT fully developed. But at 13 and 14 you are fully aware of what death is, and what murder is. 13 or 14 year old girls in this society may very well grow up not understanding sex and what sex isignifies- especially girls that grow up without a father. Hell, I know 30 and 40 year olds who still have that problem.

That boy went and got a gun, and deliberately took that man's life. He knew what it meant and he made the decision. He now needs to take the adult consequences.

I think that what you are saying is ridiculous. I agree a 13 or 14 year girl does not know the full implications of her actions so why would you think a 13 or 14 year old boy would know the full implications of his actions. It is all about the ability to make adult decisions and 13 or 14 year olds do not have the experience to make adult decisions.

I totally disagree. I have to go with lovelyivy on this one. If you survey a room of 13 and 14 year old girls as to their knowledge about sex, I guarantee you that the majority of them will be sorely misinformed. (As are many ADULT females, as was previously stated). HOWEVER, I don't think you could even find a 5 year old that thinks it's okay to kill someone. Some might argue that a teenager might understand that the act is wrong but not fully consider the ramifications of it... but the fact that he bragged about being all over the news (didn't someone post that earlier?) completely negates that defense as far as I'm concerned.

I resurected this old post because it was something that my collegues and I have been debating for a while. I work for a non-profit org that provides advocacy services for juvenile offenders, so our main goal is to have juvenile offenders released into the community with "services" in place to aid in their rehabilitation. I have been in this field for a while now suffice to say I dont believe in Prison as a means to rehabilitate kid or adults for that matter but thats a different subject. But then I came across this http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ne...,2160499.story and I have to say, I am at a loss. Does a story like this change your views on whether children should do adult time?

It is hard for me to say. I fear that putting the child in jail will only create a criminal for the society to deal with later. But the truth is putting them in the system will do this as well. The question we all need to ask, is there a better way? Helping our kids before they reach this point is the key to never having discussions like this. I wonder if something could have been done before it happened?

I go back and forth on this issue. Still, I lean more towards making them do adult time. I think when they are allowed to get around doing adult time, that injustice takes place. In particular I'm thinking about the Eve Carson case right now. From what I understand, the young man who actually killed her will get a less harsh penalty because he's not technically an adult. However, his accomplice will be getting an adult penalty. In situations like this, there is clearly a grave injustice taking place.