The sentence for the 12-year-old boy in Colorado who shot and killed his parents and tried to kill two of his younger siblings was handed down this week: He got a mere seven years in juvenile detention.
It's a light sentence, especially when you consider that had he been tried as an adult, he would have likely faced life in prison. The simple fact of the matter is -- a 13-year-old (he's since had a birthday) does not belong in prison. But can we flash-forward seven years and ponder the following scenario: What happens when this 20-year-old is released from juvenile detention? Sure, he'll have to serve a few years on parole; still, suddenly, Colorado sounds like a very scary place to be ...
No one is more unhappy about the sentence than the boy's family members, including his uncle who said, "My desire for a longer sentence was never about hatred or anger but out of a sense of justice." That's understandable ... sort of.
But here's the thing about this boy: Obviously, he's exhibited signs of mental illness. How else could you explain the fact that, as prosecutors described, he was playing with toy trucks and planes in the backyard minutes before he shot and killed his parents, then stabbed and shot his 9-year-old brother and injured his 5-year-old sister with a knife? Only someone deeply disturbed would inexplicably snap like that. And someone that young and that deeply disturbed obviously needs therapy and rehabilitation -- not a life prison sentence with adults.
Moreover, you can't help but wonder if this boy had been mistreated or even abused by his family members. When the press asked his own brother, Wally, 25, how he felt about the sentence, he said: "He's dead to me." That harsh response speaks volumes of the dynamics of this family. And, if his own family can't show him any compassion or hope for eventual forgiveness, there's little hope that he can ever get better -- which is a scary thought when he's released in seven years.
Does seven years in JUV sound like this boy is getting off too easy? Yes. But adult prison isn't appropriate in this case either. This is one instance that highlights how ineffective our justice system is in terms of rehabilitating those who truly need it.
Image via Leon Wilson/Flickr
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Comments 182
Wow, I just can't even imagine. For a twelve year old to do something like that is unfathomable. I agree with you, I only see this very disturbed boy getting worse after 7 years in juvy.
I think he got off too easy. A child his aged knows murder is wrong. What would posess a 12 year old to kill? That's what I want to know.
I think he should serve the 7 years in Juvie than serve 25-life in state pen or mental facility. He got off to easy!
I hope the child gets the help he needs. He is OBVIOUSLY mentally ill!!
12 year olds know EXACTLY what they are doing. Yes, kids are kids and blah blah blah, but there has to be a limit to what we excuse because they are kids and when to say bullshit.. you knew better. And a 12 year old knows what death is and what murder is. Not only did he MURDER his PARENTS ( which in certain circumstances is somewhat understandable) but he tried killing his own brother and sister too. At what point and how many more people he kills or tries to kill before they lock him for good
The statement the grandmother made about the boys actions being a cry for help (read originally article), a cry for help in a helpless sitiuation......... as well as the ending to the original article that the boy has made progress in the detention center already and has grown 2 inches, gained 16 pounds, and developed personal relationships with adults and children......all of which just go to show there is more to this story that hasnt been revealed. There was something going on in that family....and when press asked the 2 uncles what the grandmothers statement was about.....and they replied :"hes dead to me..." just goes to show there are some skeletons in that families closet.
Not to sound incredibly gorey or trivialize the situation----but even in the Rob Zombie remake of Halloween--the young Michael Meyers killed his whole family because of the way his whole family treated him. I know thats just a movie---but its an example.
A young boy that immature mentally....doesnt just get up and go kill his family suddenly while playing in the backyard for no reason. There was a reason..... something brewing for a long time....
Sounds to me like a mental illness establishment would be a better fit. He would serve his time but get the help he needs. Hopefully they will provide him the help and resources he needs while in Juvenile Detention.
Of course he is mentally ill. A SANE person doesn't murder in cold blood. Yes, he got off too easy.