TOTALLY GEEKED!

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Should teens be sentenced for life?

karl271 · Guru

I voted yes, depends on the crime. Even though we still use the term teenagers (in reference to their age) most teenagers today are quite adult in what they know of the world and the difference between right and wrong. Much more mature than I or my compatriots were at the same age. If it was a heinous crime, they should get life and stop trying to hide behind their age. But, always remember there are a lot of factors that should go into the sentence - prior record, etc. etc.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

It depends on the crime. There are teens who are cold blooded killers. And, once you kill, I think it is highly likely you will again. I think there may be mitigating circumstances such as a teen killing an abusive parent or something like that. But, when it is clear this is a murder one committed in cold blood, then Life in Prison is really the only option in my opinion.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

It depends on the crime. The teen who killed his parents who were sexually assaulting him - no. I think he should have been charged as a juvenile, received help and released when he became 21.

The others in the OP. They should have been put to death, and then this question would be moot.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yes, there are some who should be put to death. But, that probably isn't going to happen so life in prison at least.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I was watching Forensic Files and one of the episodes was of the Green River Killer or somebody like that. He had killed his parents when he was young in a supposedly abusive situation. And, he was released at 21. Apparently, he got a taste for killing and then he continued murdering women throughout his life until he was caught.

ed11563 · Guru

I have to think about how likely they are to kill again.

If the one who killed his parents had reported the sexual abuse repeatedly, and nothing was ever done, and he'd run away and been returned to his abusers, then it might be considered self-defense.

But clearly the jury decided it was just cold-blooded murder. And he could kill again for what he might consider "good reason".

Is "rehabilitation" likely, or even possible? Seems doubtful.

Domestic Engineer · Guru

A similar situation is playing out where I live. In 2005, a 14 yr old boy took a gun to school and killed the assistant principal. In a plea deal, he was given a 45 yr sentence with the earliest chance of parole in 20+ years.

A short time while later he withdrew his plea saying he didn't understand the plea deal and wanted a trial. This went back and forth for a few years. Finally, he was granted a new trial. During the trial he was portrayed as this poor kid that was misunderstood. The new trial resulted in wreckless homocide charge and he was released on time served, with parole. That was in February.

Since that time he has been arrested, not once, not twice, but three times. He needs to be put back in jail before he succeeds in killing someone else.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I was watching Forensic Files and one of the episodes was of the Green River Killer or somebody like that. He had killed his parents when he was young in a supposedly abusive situation. And, he was released at 21. Apparently, he got a taste for killing and then he continued murdering women throughout his life until he was caught.

Yes, but you can't judge every person by the actions of one.

Some abused children turn into abusers and/or killers. Some turn into people that help those that were abused.

If there was proof of ongoing abuse, I'd have a hard time convicting a child for killing them if I was on the jury.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I guess killing a Principal or Teacher doesn't count because they aren't really viewed as people anymore.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I guess killing a Principal or Teacher doesn't count because they aren't really viewed as people anymore.

See, there is nothing that would make me feel sympathy for a killer like that.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I think that it is sometimes excused if it is a teacher or principal. As if they aren't human beings with families. And, if they shot anyone else or another student, the penalty would be much stiffer. Why?

Tignanello · My dog name is, Sasha!

Domestic Engineer wrote:
A similar situation is playing out where I live. In 2005, a 14 yr old boy took a gun to school and killed the assistant principal. In a plea deal, he was given a 45 yr sentence with the earliest chance of parole in 20+ years.

A short time while later he withdrew his plea saying he didn't understand the plea deal and wanted a trial. This went back and forth for a few years. Finally, he was granted a new trial. During the trial he was portrayed as this poor kid that was misunderstood. The new trial resulted in wreckless homocide charge and he was released on time served, with parole. That was in February.

Since that time he has been arrested, not once, not twice, but three times. He needs to be put back in jail before he succeeds in killing someone else.

See, I always wonder if it would be different if the kid had been re-integrated into society from prison rather than just dumped out on the street. I think that the western justice system breeds criminals who will reoffend after release. It's sad.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

How do we "breed" criminals? We give people a heck of a lot more chances than most countries in the world. How about the fault actually lying with the person who commits the actions instead of "society"?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
How do we "breed" criminals? We give people a heck of a lot more chances than most countries in the world. How about the fault actually lying with the person who commits the actions instead of "society"?

That would be how.

Ilumine · Regular

Tignanello wrote:
Domestic Engineer wrote:
A similar situation is playing out where I live. In 2005, a 14 yr old boy took a gun to school and killed the assistant principal. In a plea deal, he was given a 45 yr sentence with the earliest chance of parole in 20+ years.

A short time while later he withdrew his plea saying he didn't understand the plea deal and wanted a trial. This went back and forth for a few years. Finally, he was granted a new trial. During the trial he was portrayed as this poor kid that was misunderstood. The new trial resulted in wreckless homocide charge and he was released on time served, with parole. That was in February.

Since that time he has been arrested, not once, not twice, but three times. He needs to be put back in jail before he succeeds in killing someone else.
See, I always wonder if it would be different if the kid had been re-integrated into society from prison rather than just dumped out on the street. I think that the western justice system breeds criminals who will reoffend after release. It's sad.

I am not trying to be snarky here, but how does the rest of the world do it?

Because in the middle east, under Shiria Law theft is punishable by having their hand's chopped off. And I doubt time in a Chinese or South American jails are somehow better or provide more rehabilitative services. The Japanese justice system don't provide rehabitiliation services; and their jails, while cleaner have no perks like US jails. And I am not even going to touch the judicial system in most of the African Nations, you know the places where children's hands are cut off because they won't join the government or rebel militias and the little girls are stolen and sold off as brides.

So again, I ask which society do you speak of?

Tignanello · My dog name is, Sasha!

Ilumine wrote:
Tignanello wrote:
Domestic Engineer wrote:
A similar situation is playing out where I live. In 2005, a 14 yr old boy took a gun to school and killed the assistant principal. In a plea deal, he was given a 45 yr sentence with the earliest chance of parole in 20+ years.

A short time while later he withdrew his plea saying he didn't understand the plea deal and wanted a trial. This went back and forth for a few years. Finally, he was granted a new trial. During the trial he was portrayed as this poor kid that was misunderstood. The new trial resulted in wreckless homocide charge and he was released on time served, with parole. That was in February.

Since that time he has been arrested, not once, not twice, but three times. He needs to be put back in jail before he succeeds in killing someone else.
See, I always wonder if it would be different if the kid had been re-integrated into society from prison rather than just dumped out on the street. I think that the western justice system breeds criminals who will reoffend after release. It's sad.
I am not trying to be snarky here, but how does the rest of the world do it?

Because in the middle east, under Shiria Law theft is punishable by having their hand's chopped off. And I doubt time in a Chinese or South American jails are somehow better or provide more rehabilitative services. The Japanese justice system don't provide rehabitiliation services; and their jails, while cleaner have no perks like US jails. And I am not even going to touch the judicial system in most of the African Nations, you know the places where children's hands are cut off because they won't join the government or rebel militias and the little girls are stolen and sold off as brides.
So again, I ask which society do you speak of?

Western society. as noted in my post above.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

My only problem with the kid who was molested is that he still states to this day that he doesn't understand why his family is so angry at him for killing his parents. He says his grandparents and aunts won't speak to him and he doesn't understand. So in that regard, if you can't understand why killing someone's children or siblings would cause them pain you probably don't need to be out of jail yet.