Sue Hartigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Hi Jackie:
We have a 14 year old who murdered his friend 12 (I think) a few months
ago here (Idlywild).
He was in a room with the boy, and the boy's brother, and pointed a
rifle at the boys head. He fired it but it misfired, so he reloaded and
made the boy stand still, shot him in the head, and then set the scene
up to look like suicide. (putting the boys finger prints on the gun and
all) Then he threatened the boy's brother and told him he would kill
him too if he told.
Of course the cops figured out it wasn't a suicide right away, and the
brother did end up telling the true story.
Since he was 45 days short of his 14th birthday he was tried as a
juvenile and will be out of juvenile hall on his 18th birthday, to
finish his term in youth authority till he is 25.
The mother is livid and trying to have the laws changed where if a youth
commits an adult crime they will be tried as an adult. Doesn't look
like she will get anywhere, but I can sure understand why she feels the
way she does. I would probably feel the same way.
Something does have to be done about these kids who murder. But where
do you draw the line, at what age. 14 is the age in California, but 14
is a lot older now than it was when we were 14. :(
Sue
>
> Hi Sue
>
> I just heard about the alleged sexual abuse of Mitchell. Posted before I read your
> other posts. Boy, there is sure a lot of stuff on the history of the family coming
> out, and like always--nothing was done at the time. But, you never really know if
>you
> should interfere so guess you can't say anything now. I know Tom (my colleague) now
> questions himself as to whether if he had done more, this tragedy wouldn't have
> happened. So I image many are feeling that way.
>
> As far as the reactions by those in Jonesboro, I guess it is like any other terrible
> crime--there are two extreme camps and a lot of people in the middle wondering really
> what did occur tp trigger this and what the best possible way of dealing with it is.
> I
> guess, like Mitchell's father, I do not think Mitchell could or would be
>rehabilitated
> in five years and should not be released when he turns 18. I only wish people would
> begin to question what rehabilitation actually exists for juveniles when they are
>sent
> to juvenile correctional facilities. Perhaps, out of this tragedy something positive
> could happen--it sure hasn't happened when these horrendous crimes have been
>occurring
> in our inner cities--just sweep it under the rug, until it really hits 'middle-class'
> America. Sorry to be cynical, here, but it sure seems this is the pattern in
>history.
>
> jackief
--
Two rules in life:
1. Don't tell people everything you know.
2.
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