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Last week, in a small community in Arizona (St. Johns) two men were shot to death, allegedly by an 8 year old boy. One of the victims was the father of the boy.
Law enforcement is saying this was pre-meditated. The boy has been charged with 2 counts of First degree (pre-meditated) Murder. The County attorney is considering charging the Boy as an adult -
It would be interesting to hear your thoughts -
No, an 8-yr-old should not be tried as an adult. However, simply because he's a child does not mean he's salvageable as a human being. It's possible to be so screwed up by that age that nothing can save you.
anyone who has an 8 y/o, or raised a child, knows that 8y/o's are not the smartest. some are, but most dont really think about consequences. most think life is a video game. that people could be taken to the hospital and get fixed. that doctors perform miracles daily. they dont think like adults. thats the reality. if you have kids you know this.
so, i dont think this child should be tried as an adult. there is possible redemption here. i say give the boy a chance at life.
I always wondered why they even use the term "try as an adult".
If he's a kid, you try him as a kid. Otherwise, if you pick and choose which kids to be "tried as adults" (stupid phrase), you're discriminating. You can't have it both ways - set an age, and go by it, or try everyone "as an adult" no matter their age. What's all this about taking kids and pretending they are adults in this one setting? An 8-year old is clearly not an adult. But, you can make him that way for this one situation, if you want.
When I was growing up, there was no such thing - if a person was underage (and I don't remember what that was in NY at the time), he was not tried as an adult, rather he was sent to juvenile hall until he was 21. The kid down the street from me killed his mother one day - he was 14 - and he got out at 21. If we don't want that, then try them all "as adults".
Those who are opposed to the death penalty state that juvenile offenders are not able to fully understand their actions. So according to those who are opposed, it is okay for an eleven-year-old school gunman to only be given jail time until he is twenty-one because he doesn't really understand what he was doing. He didn't understand what he was doing when he was loading the gun with ammunition, He didn't understand as he was placing homemade bombs in persise locations and he didn't understand as he was pulling the trigger that killed or injured many of his fellow students and peers. Then, after he “served his time”, he has a clean slate. The lives he took will not be known to his future employers,or the salesperson at the gun shop he's purchasing a weapon at. But that's okay because apparently it is only at the age of eighteen that you are responsible enough to deal with the consequences of your actions.So until he turns 18, let's blame the parents for his screw ups. Lord forbit that the parents are actually DOING the right job, and that the child was just born messed up.
No, an 8 year old should not be charged as an adult under any circumstances. The minimum age I would ever advocate prosecution as an adult, even for murder, would be 13 or 14. Even then, they should not be eligible for life without parole or the death penalty (and, btw, due to two SC decisions - one in 89 and one in 05 - they are not eligible for the DP).
Last edited by afoigrokerkok; 05-08-2009 at 09:47 AM..
Those who are opposed to the death penalty state that juvenile offenders are not able to fully understand their actions. So according to those who are opposed, it is okay for an eleven-year-old school gunman to only be given jail time until he is twenty-one because he doesn't really understand what he was doing. He didn't understand what he was doing when he was loading the gun with ammunition, He didn't understand as he was placing homemade bombs in persise locations and he didn't understand as he was pulling the trigger that killed or injured many of his fellow students and peers. Then, after he “served his time”, he has a clean slate. The lives he took will not be known to his future employers,or the salesperson at the gun shop he's purchasing a weapon at. But that's okay because apparently it is only at the age of eighteen that you are responsible enough to deal with the consequences of your actions.So until he turns 18, let's blame the parents for his screw ups. Lord forbit that the parents are actually DOING the right job, and that the child was just born messed up.
Born bad? maybe. More likely born with issues compounded by bad parents. And yes parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children. Perhaps if more were more effort would be put into teaching their children right from wrong.
My friend has a son with ADHD. No disipline what so ever. The boy was wild and an embarassment waiting to happen. Always the same excuse. Well thats Billy if he thinks it he does it.
My child who is low functioning Autistic. Taught early on the rules and right from wrong. Yes at times she acts out. But never on a regular basis.
The difference was accountability. We didn't make excuses nor allow such behavior.
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