Old enough to kill?
I was watching Good Morning America after training today and heard a disturbing story. In February of last year an 11 year old boy in Pennsylvania was accused of murdering his soon-to-be step mother. The woman was 26 years old and 8 months pregnant. He is now in the process of being tried for a double homicide, but the trial cannot begin until a judge rules whether or not he should be tried in adult court. In the state of Pennsylvania, any child who commits a murder is tried in adult court. But is an 11 year old boy old enough to know what he’s doing? Is he old enough to be accountable for angry emotions and unfortunate actions?
Many say no and are arguing for him to be tried in juvenile court. If he is found guilty the two courts have very different outcomes. In adult court the currently 12 year old boy will face life in prison without parole. He will enter a world that will scar and change him forever, emotionally and probably physically. Is it humane to take away any chance of a future from a 12 year old boy?
On the other hand, if he is tried and found guilty in juvenile court he faces juvenile detention until age 21 and then will be set free with a clean record. Is it fair to let murderers start over with a clean record so that no one even knows what they hide in their past?
It is important to remember that the boy had no previous record of violence or reckless behavior. He was described by friends and family as the “All American Boy.” He played football, rode the bus to school, and went hunting with the gun that allegedly killed his father’s fiance.
The question is, should children be tried as adults for emotions they may not be able to control? If he is found guilty he must be held accountable for his actions. But is an 11 year old boy truly in control?
Jordan is pleading not guilty and his father is standing by him. He’s already drained all of his life savings to make the daily four hour trip to visit his son.
I was shocked to learn the boy was going to trail as an adult. There is no way that little boy knew what the consequences are. He probably didn’t even know what the word consequence means, or seen what a prison really looks like inside. Who makes the decision to try him as an adult, the DA? I am very angry about this.
Tom Davis
CEO Wisconsin Fireworks LLC
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