Should Children Who Committ Crimes Do Adult Time?

[AKAtude]

As usual, I was watching a cable news show last night. One of the topics up for discussion was whether or not 13-year old Nathaniel Brizzel, who shot and killed his middle school teacher in Florida, should be put on trial as an adult. Some guests stated that he should and others said he does not have the mental capacity of an adult. Nathaniel's attorney kept bringing up the fact that he was an honor roll student and never had any prior problems at school or with the law.

If he is tried as a juvenile, then he will be released at age 21 if I'm not mistaken. Otherwise, he will receive life in prison without parole. His mother believes he should be tried as the juvenile that he is. She does not think the state of Florida should use her son as an example.

I understand that he is 13 and this is not the life his parents wanted him to have. But at 13 years old or even younger, we know right from wrong and there are consequences to be dealt with. He says that it was an accident, but yet bragged to his friends before the incident that he would be "all over the news." Would anyone like to share their views?