General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Should a 13-year old murderer be tried as an adult? [View all]Aerows
(39,961 posts)Obviously, something is dreadfully wrong with these two kids. Before debating whether or not they should be tried as juveniles or as adults, I would think that a SERIOUS psychological evaluation be conducted on them for weeks, if not months, to determine what triggered them to do something so heinous.
At 16, I'd have a completely different view of those kids. At 13, I have to think you really have to evaluate them to find out what is going on with them, and it could potentially help identify other children that might commit such acts of violence.
Letting them out at 18 should NOT be an option, and frankly, I don't think jail should be the option, either, until they have undergone serious counseling for at least a year or two so that they can understand why what they did was wrong, the consequences it has on their lives and the lives of others, and also, to take them out of an environment that clearly is not nurturing them to grow up to be productive individuals. They might not ever get to that point, but with counseling and medication (if necessary) they might.
Obviously something isn't right with their environment and with their family situation.