This article details the judge denying the movement of this case of a 12 year old boy, who shot and killed his father’s pregnant girlfriend, to juvenile court. According to Pennsylvania law, the child must be tried as an adult because he is over the age of 10. Also, this is considered a double homicide because the unborn child was in gestation for 8 months, making this child the second person killed in the attack.
This article relates to our studies within the realm of types of courts and how laws may differ from state to state. It also touches on minors and their lawful role within society.
I personally think this is an immensely tragic article; still, I would like to know the reasoning behind this child’s actions. Was he unaware of the damage he would case? Did he premeditate his actions before actually going through with them? Even though he is being tried as an adult because of PA’s state law, we may never get to hear the answers to these questions because he is still a minor.
Web link: http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/29/boy.homicide/index.html?npt=NP1
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At the age of 12 you know the difference between right and wrong. Unless he's mentally handicapped, there's no denying that kid knew what would happen when he pulled the trigger. I think anyone who consciously takes someone else's life deserves atleast life in prison... assuming it was not self defense. We all have one chance to get life right, and he chose to kill. He ended not one, but two lives. He deserves nothing less but to lose his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
ReplyDeleteI guess I just want to know if he was being threatened by the pregnant girlfriend or if he just didn't like her and decided to pull the trigger. If he was acting in a defensive manner, my opinions in this case would probably sway to the 12 year old. However, if he wasn't, then I whole-heartedly agree with you Brittany.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100330/ap_on_re_us/us_pregnant_woman_killed
ReplyDeleteThis is another article about the same case. It states that Houk was lying in bed when she was shot. Prosecutors also said that the boy was jealous of Houk and the unborn baby. I agree at age 12, you are aware of right and wrong, but maybe not the legal consequences. I want to believe that there were people available for him to talk to...friends, family, teachers, guidance counselor, etc. If for some reason that's not an option, then maybe someone should look into setting up classes to teach juveniles the consequences of certain actions, especially since they can be tried as adults at such a young age. I don't believe they should be given free passes just because they are minors.