US child appeals against being tried for murder as an adult

[marmar]

from the Guardian UK:






Lawyers for a child in Pennsylvania who was 11 when he allegedly shot and killed his father's pregnant fiancee attempted today to persuade an appeals court not to try him as an adult under America's harsh system of juvenile justice.

Unless the lawyers for Jordan Brown who is now aged 13, can convince the judges to change tack, he will be tried in adult court and if convicted will serve an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole. He would become the youngest child in US history to be sentenced to be incarcerated forever.

The US is the only country where juveniles are serving life imprisonment without parole under the so-called "life means life" policy. Only the US and Somalia have refused to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which rules out life sentences with no chance of release for crimes committed before the age of 18.

Brown is accused of having killed Kenzie Houk, in February 2009 at her home in the countryside about 35 miles north-west of Pittsburgh. According to the prosecution, Brown shot her through the back of the head as she slept in her bedroom. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/25/us-boy-accused-murder-appeals

[TwilightGardener]

1. Strange-looking child. Scary eyes.

[FreakinDJ]

4. He's a child

Or do you wish to engage in speculation over Genetically Predisposed to Commit Murder

[TwilightGardener]

5. Just commenting on the photo.

[FreakinDJ]

6. Looks to me he's been crying his eyes out

but maybe that's just me because I've raised 3 boys - (by myself, as in Single Dad), managed little league teams, ect, ect

[TwilightGardener]

8. I've raised two boys. I still find that photo chilling.

Perhaps it's because I can't separate the image from the fact of what he did--his crime was very, very cold and pre-planned. I don't think he should be tried as an adult, but I do believe he would be a danger to society--his deed seems truly sociopathic.

[FreakinDJ]

10. I'll guarantee you that boy was in fear for his life

in 1 form or another.

We don't know and this tale will most likely never be televised or open to the puplic

[msanthrope]

2. There's a thread in LBN on this--he shot a 8-month pregnant woman in the head,

left her for her 4 year-old to find, got on the schoolbus, and when questioned by police, sent them on a wild-goose chase for a 'black truck.'

The motive? Apparently, he didn't want a step brother. He shot his father's fiance with the gun he had been given as a Christmas gift.

I wouldn't try an 11-year old as an adult, but I sure as hell don't want this kid getting out on a juvie rap.

[laundry_queen]

7. A gun for a Christmas gift? for a kid?

geez, who does that? it's against the law for kids to smoke or drink, but it's A-ok to give them guns! omfg.

This kid needs intensive psychotherapy if he has any chance of growing up into a normal person. I don't think he should be tried as an adult - he should be tried as a seriously disturbed kid.

[msanthrope]

11. Welcome to rural PA. This is nothing out of the ordinary, and in truth, when

handled by responsible parent, shooting and hunting can be useful skills that teach responsibility. It's part of the culture of rural PA.

Gun safety classes are offered in PA for kids as young as 7. I first went hunting (in the Catskills) when I was 12.

[TheWraith]

13. As msanthrope said, it's pretty common in the rural areas.

I have a friend whose 13 year old cousin was showing me the .22 semi-auto he got for Christmas a few weeks ago.

Now, technically that's not supposed to be the case, as the age to possess long guns in New York State is 14. And in PA, where this happened, the age to possess a gun is 18 unless under parental supervision. However, there's no realistic way to enforce such laws when you're talking about the kids possessing the weapon with parental approval.

And, again as msanthrope said, it can be a good thing when it results in parents teaching caution and responsible behavior.

[TheMightyFavog]

12. Damn. Kid sounds like a grade-A sociopath.

He needs to be in an institution.

[FreakinDJ]

3. Too sad for words

[Brickbat]

9. Sad all the way around.