Kids Do Criminal Things, But Prison for Life?
EmailKenneth Young grew up in the rough-and-tumble drug underworld of Tampa, Florida. As a 14-year-old, he was arrested and hauled off to jail after he got caught up in a string of motel robberies that his mother’s drug dealer forced him to commit. He carried no weapon. Hurt no one. Had no priors. But Young was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole by a Florida judge who, it turns out, did not understand the sentence he was handing down. Ten years later, Young has been granted a chance at a new life — thanks to the Supreme Court. On May 18, the justices ruled that juveniles who have not committed homicidal crimes may not be sentenced to life without parole. Tonight, Terry Moran has his story, which we'll embed in the morning. And we want to hear from you: Should teen criminals ever be sentenced to life without parole? Or, as the court ruled, only when the crime involves a homicide? What about rape? For now, here's a recent report about Jordan Brown, a 12-year-old accused of killing his future stepmother, and potentially facing a life without parole sentence.
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Should teen criminals ever be sentenced to life without parole?
Yes.
Or, as the court ruled, only when the crime involves a homicide?
Certainly they should get either life in prison or executed for homicide. But other major crimes like drug trafficking should also get them life in prison.
Posted by: Proud Native American and Angry Independent Voter | May 28, 2010, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
The story presented was heart warming, but it was also a biased piece of yellow journalism. Were the victims of Kenneth’s Robbery spree interviewed? This 14 year old was committing robberies because his now crying mother was a junkie and not taking care of the kid she bought into the world. When will you bleeding hearts int he media hold the parents accountable? When will you hold the criminals accountable?
Robbery is a very frightening crime, the perpetrators don’t deserve any mercy. I don’t think this kid deserved life with no chance of parole, but I also don’t think 10 years is enough for his crimes.
And I am not some right wing conservative, I am a black moderate Democrat.
Posted by: Tony | May 29, 2010, 12:00 am 12:00 am
Why would they have to do this kind of time when a 24yr old drunk killed my sister-in-law and only got 12 months with a slap on the wrist. He was less then half her age at release and only servered prison time to do paper work to be released.This was his 2nd time and he will go on but we continue to suffer the loss everyday, year, birthday, holiday, anniversarry.
Posted by: Rita | May 29, 2010, 12:05 am 12:05 am
I disagree with the previous comment from the Black Democrat. You asked the question when will the parents be held responsible. I feel that Kenneth’s mother has paid her dues for her sickness that she was going through. As for Kenneth 10 years I feel is way to drastic for a 14 year old. You asked had the family’s been inteviewed, in the segment tonight, we where informed that Kenneth had spoken with the victims and some forgave and some didin’t. Well to me he made the first step in showing his desire to change and be a better person. We as adults make mistakes worse than Mr. Young did,and get no time or very little time at all. Lets remember he was a victim himself, he was a child, who had no direction other than the streets. He made a mistake he has paid his debt. Give him a second chance in life. God forgives us unlimited times.
Posted by: Ms T | May 29, 2010, 12:25 am 12:25 am
We have a broken criminal justice system that desperately needs reform. When will our president, congress and supreme court address this issue that has a very diverse affect on the economy and morale of this country. Families are being torn apart to keep the multi-million dollar prison industry going for wealthy investors in this country. The archiac drug and sentencing laws are outdated and doing as much or more harm than the criminals in some instances. Child molesters, rapist and murderers should get more severe sentences than drug and white collar crimes. Wake up, rise up and demand reform now!! Non-violent,first time offenders deserve a second chance at freedom. Judges are not God and they make mistakes, but seldom admit they have made a mistake!
Posted by: Linda C. Jolly | May 29, 2010, 12:37 am 12:37 am
I cried inconsolably after viewing the story about the 14-year old Florida boy who was sentenced to life for robbery. That the judge “did not know the law” is appalling to me. He must correct his mistake with every waking moment and he should not rest until the boy is released. The boy was robbed of his youth. The punishment meted out did not fit the crime. What does a 14-year old child know about life? Science teaches us that impulse control centers in the brain are not fully developed until age 25. This boy was trying to defend his mother whom he perceived was in grave danger. He did what our culture teaches boys to do; he defended his family in the only way he could at that moment. He could not have known what ramifications would result. Though we cannot give this boy his youth back, we must rise to the occasion to right this wrong. This abomination of justice is a testiment to our collective complacency with our judicial system. Thank God that the Supreme Court did the right thing. I pray that the law school team studying this case will work to speed up this boy’s release so that he does not lose any more precious, precious time and live life as he now aspires to.
Posted by: Sue | May 29, 2010, 1:31 am 1:31 am
As a professional in the legal field,and an advocate for being against children being charged as adults, I cannot understand why this boys case hasn’t been appealed. The Judge readily admitted that he did not comprehend the Florida’s law, that alone is grounds for an appeal and/or a new Trial.
It is a fact that the human brain is not fully developed until the late twenties. It’s another fact that teenagers do not have much common sense. Certainly those who commit crimes under coercion, being forced or frightened into the criminal act are not thinking as an adult. Therefore, how can society believe that a child should be charged as an adult for any crime, even murder with circumstance?
I am very pleased that this issue was brought before the higher Court and that they came to the correct conclusion.
Posted by: Kaby | May 29, 2010, 3:35 am 3:35 am
I am advocating for young criminals, but i think from my bias believes; kid who commit crime should have the access to parole. Not to put behind adults terriorty for the rest of life. Psychologist had proven that during teenager development process, their brain start to develop fully; which mean their reasonings and the ways they approach issues. Give them the the parole, and see if they will misuse it.
Posted by: William Togbah | May 29, 2010, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm