Me either.
But I love blended sentencing, especially if it includes intensive "treatment" by qualified professionals. If the child is still deemed a danger he/she can be moved over to adult prison
Society needs to be protected, the kid gets a shot a rehabilitation and if that's not successful...further incarceration.
Win-win IMO
Agreed. The issue of what to do with young, violent criminals is so important and so difficult. On the one hand, I believe that children, even kids who are on their way to being psychopaths (kids are only diagnosed with "conduct disorder" at the most), have malleable enough brains that their is a chance to heal and improve. We have actually seen that with some young murderers, like that girl, Mary Bell who killed little boys in England.
I think it depends on why they killed, how young they were, their capacity at the time for empathy, remorse, etc., their motivation for killing, and so on. In other words, I think an 8 year old bullied by a frightening father, who shoots his father dead out of desperation, may be more amenable to becoming a normal human being and citizen, than a 17 year old who coldly plots the kidnapping and torture-murder of a small child, for "kicks".
For me, I have a hard time believing that most violent children are irredeemable. I believe in the chance at redemption for kids. I believe that their brains are wired differently and that due to their immaturity, a child who is not a lost cause can do horrific, horrific things that he or she would never do once matured. In general, I do not think they should be tried as adults unless they are close to 18. However, I also think the juvenile system has to be flexible enough to be able to deal with children who kill and who will remain a danger to society. And sometimes, the juvenile justice system will never be enough for society when it comes to protection from some of these kids.
I remember a book I read called Loss of Innocence about the murder of two sisters, Sherry and Kristy Janson by their 13 year old neighbor. They were the only children their parents had. At the time, Colorado did not allow 13 year olds to be tried as adults.
Ironically, the Janson family had moved from California to live in a safer community. So did the killer's family. he stalked the neighborhood that day looking for a victim. He was known as a bully, troubled, but not abused in any way. he tried to entice out a two year old neighbor that day to "play", but the mother felt weird and said no. He then went to the Janson house where the girls were home alone after school.
He showed zero remorse for his crimes. He was sentenced as a juvenile and served until about age 16 or so I think. (In the book he;s called "Billy Keenan" but his name was actually something else which was published in the news at the time).
The rehab program he was in was
intensive. It is fully described in the book. He was made to attend constant therapy, to have pictures of the girls in his cell, permanently, to discuss his guilt, acknowledge their suffering and humanity, and to abide by extremely strict rules meant to teach responsibility, accountability, obedience, compassion, manners.
http://www.amazon.com/Loss-Innocence-Story-Juvenile-Murder/dp/038075987X#cm_cr_dpwidget His experience was supposed to have been successful.
I looked him up years later. Apparently, he moved to California, was involved in some tire slashing and theft. Years later, at age 30 he battered a girlfriend and threatened her, telling her he had killed little girls before and would kill her.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83392231.html
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DOUBLE+MURDERER+GETS+NEW+SENTENCE+IN+ASSAULT.-a083392231
I have no idea where he is now. He must be about 45 years old.
So, there are some kids who the system can't fix.
That being said, I think a mixed approach should at least be tried.
I'm struck also by the reaction of the family of Connor (BTW, can we get a better photo of him? I've only seen one). There are some here who are expressing hatred toward the 12 year old who murdered Connor. However, Connor's own family is not. They feel sorrow. I find that incredible. They sound like an amazing family with an amazing child. And if they can manage compassion and understanding in their darkest, most horrific hour, I have to at least try:
Although the family is frustrated with whats happened, Stearns said he hasnt heard much anger toward
Lawhorn.
Their hearts go out to the family of the young boy, he said. Even though were dealing with a different type of pain, theyll be dealing with a similar pain every day for the rest of their lives. Thats not to be taken lightly.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/08/ill_always_love_you_family_rec.html
Bill Verkerke, the grandfather of victim Connor Verkerke, said that after learning about Jamarions background from Target 8, he is angry at the mother and the state.
Anger is a justifiable emotion, but its worse than anger, Verkerke said.
You cant be mad at that child, the 12-year-old. What are you going to do to the state? I dont know what you do with them. Could sue them I guess, but that wont change anything.
Connors grandfather says its clear Jamarion needed help.
Maybe even a hug would have done, you know. Maybe Connor could have gave him a hug, Verkerke said. Im sure he would have given him a hug. If hed known he needed one, hed have given him one. He was that kind of kid.
http://woodtv.com/2014/08/25/target-8-youngest-murder-suspects-life-of-abuse/
