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Wow. I knew you could be convicted of murder as an accomplice if you contributed to that murder in some way - like helping subdue someone, driving a get-away car, etc. Never would have thought that applied in a case like this. Moderator cut: profanity
Well there were probably circumstances that justified putting this in that same category. He should have taken the deal and just served his sentence and applied for parole, and he'd probably be out in ten years. Now he's going to be in for a lot longer.
This is not guilt by association, this is guilt by participation. He actively participated in the crime.
It is guilt by association he did not shoot anybody but was party to a group that made that attempt and a resulting death
But that is not what got him the huge sentence
The courts always look for remorse in a crime in the sentence process
He had none
Goodness gracious! A miscarriage of justice in the case of a black teenager in the Deep South? I'm shocked, shocked to hear such an unusual situation!
Come on Clarallel, if you think we are all racists down here just say it. Stereotyping someone based entirely on location is just as bad as stereotyping them on race, sex or whatever. Or is it OK to stereotype the people who don't think like you?
Apparently many of the posters here have not heard of disparate racial differences in the criminal justice system--from arrests to indictments and on to sentencing. I assure you that it exists. Google it and you will find reams of studies about how black and white are treated way differently for the same offenses.
The prosecutor CHOSE to indict this 15-year-old as an adult. He did not have to. He CHOSE to indict him for murder. He did not have to do that either. And the judge CHOSE to sentence him for 65 years --effectively life in prison for a botched burglary. He did not have to do that as well. None of those choices had to be made the way they were, and I submit that this would never have happened to a 15-year-old white kid in Alabama. There were many steps along the way where discretion could have been exercised , especially in light of the fact that he did NOT kill anyone. And as I said, he should be held accountable for actions. But not like this. It's totally outrageous and yes, very much an example of disparate racial treatment in the criminal justice system.
The thug CHOSE to commit a burglary with an armed accomplice. Had that choice not been made, none of the rest would have happened.
Come on Clarallel, if you think we are all racists down here just say it. Stereotyping someone based entirely on location is just as bad as stereotyping them on race, sex or whatever. Or is it OK to stereotype the people who don't think like you?
That's just how they post. Put them on ignore and save yourself the time of reading broad-brush stereotyping.
This is not a "miscarriage of justice". This is standard justice.
The boys being charged took part in a crime that led to the death of an individual. Thus, they are being charged. It happens every day and it is standard. When deaths occur as a result of crimes, teens are often tried as adults.
What is your specific interest in a case from Alabama, OP, you being from NYC? Why does it matter that the boy is Black?
One black, one Hispanic and two white teenagers, and none of them had a gun.
The conviction was overturned a few years later by the state supreme court, but they all spent a few years in jail.
Thanks for posting that, and including the part about it being overturned a couple years later. It seems like part of the reason for overturning it was that they found the original charges excessive, and that adolescent development research shows that minors are less capable of thinking of potential consequences so far outside the original scope of their plan.
The other stories posted here do not match the OP's at all.
1. Holle was 21, knew they were going to steal and get violent with the girl when he lent his car for that purpose. Their intended victim died, not one of the thieves. His sentence was commuted.
2. Hein - By my math, was not a minor. A cops son died, the cop's son was not one of the thieves. Sentence was commuted.
3. In this case, the kid was well under 18, and the lead thief is the one who died, not an innocent victim. It'll also be a miracle if his sentence gets commuted (I hope it gets overturned on appeal, as it should).
To the OP;The fact that black people are treated unfairly in the criminal injustice system is not a well received discussion here, I feel like most people elsewhere would agree with you though. I think if you point out the fact that this was a kid, rather than his race, you might receive a better reaction.
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