Should 14 Year Olds Get Life Sentences?

[duane1969]

This is an interesting read. Essentially the argument is that 14 year olds are not mentally developed enough to be responsible for their actions. As a high school teacher I deal with 14-18 years olds. I have seen plenty of teens who are too immature to deal with life and plenty who are mature beyond their years. I have never seen one that didn't grasp the concept of death and killing.

In reading the article the only one who I don't think should have gotten such a stiff sentence is Kuntrell Jackson. He was present but did not actually kill anyone. All of the others intentionally killed and in some cases planned out the killing (premeditated). The argument that a 14 year old can not grasp the levity of killing someone is cancelled out by them planning it out ahead of time. They knew what they were doing and what the results would be. They deserve to be exactly where they are.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...life-in-prison

[pghin08]

This is an interesting read. Essentially the argument is that 14 year olds are not mentally developed enough to be responsible for their actions. As a high school teacher I deal with 14-18 years olds. I have seen plenty of teens who are too immature to deal with life and plenty who are mature beyond their years. I have never seen one that didn't grasp the concept of death and killing.

In reading the article the only one who I don't think should have gotten such a stiff sentence is Kuntrell Jackson. He was present but did not actually kill anyone. All of the others intentionally killed and in some cases planned out the killing (premeditated). The argument that a 14 year old can not grasp the levity of killing someone is cancelled out by them planning it out ahead of time. They knew what they were doing and what the results would be. They deserve to be exactly where they are.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...life-in-prison

Absolutely.

[mrveggieman]

Wow an interesting and sad story for all parties involved. I say that there is no black and white answers just like in any other crime it depends on the facts and the circumstances.

[pghin08]

Wow an interesting and sad story for all parties involved. I say that there is no black and white answers just like in any other crime it depends on the facts and the circumstances.

I agree with that too. Like Duane said, if you can plan it, you know what you're doing. Otherwise, maybe you really don't. Like they see it in movies or on TV, and they just don't grasp the finality of it.

[Star_Cards]

I agree that Kuntrell is the only one that I see that deserves a second look. If it's true that he was outside I don't see why he gets life even being an accessory. Yes, he knew the robbery was armed but he had no way of knowing if the friend was going to kill the clerk. Even if he did, he still wasn't the trigger man.

Most of these seem premeditated and oddly enough enough against family members. To me that seems even worse. If they are willing to kill an aunt or grandparent or step brother they obviously have zero respect for anyone's life.

If someone beats a man and then sets fire to his house and leaves him to die, no matter what age, deserves life or the death penalty.

[ensbergcollector]

Agree with most of what is being said. As someone who works with teenagers, I see man 14 years olds that are fully capable of understanding their decisions. What bothers me reading this article is that most of these are now in the 20's as still have the entitled attitude of a teenager. It is all about "what I deserve" and "it isn't fair to me." If you committed pre-meditated murder maybe the first words out of mouth shouldn't be about what you deserve.

[duane1969]

agree with most of what is being said. As someone who works with teenagers, i see man 14 years olds that are fully capable of understanding their decisions. what bothers me reading this article is that most of these are now in the 20's as still have the entitled attitude of a teenager. It is all about "what i deserve" and "it isn't fair to me." if you committed pre-meditated murder maybe the first words out of mouth shouldn't be about what you deserve.

+100000000000000

[pghin08]

Agree with most of what is being said. As someone who works with teenagers, I see man 14 years olds that are fully capable of understanding their decisions. What bothers me reading this article is that most of these are now in the 20's as still have the entitled attitude of a teenager. It is all about "what I deserve" and "it isn't fair to me." If you committed pre-meditated murder maybe the first words out of mouth shouldn't be about what you deserve.

This is my nominee for "Most Sensible Post of the Year".

[duwal]

yes, in every instance if they do a crime so severe that it could warrant a life sentence than for me it doesn't matter if they are 14 or 30 or 56 years old. They all know what they are doing, its a very weak argument to say that a 14 year old doesn't realize the severity of their actions

[shrewsbury]

Most of these seem premeditated and oddly enough enough against family members.

not odd at all, but sad.
you know your family, where they are, what they have, and what they might do. a stranger might have a loaded weapon ready, have nothing to take, or be "on the ready" against strangers because of the potential of a possible crime.