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Here's the results of the last poll:
Entry: Gallows Poll 8 comments
 | Posted by Miz UV @ 10/30/2007 11:36 AM PDT | | | It sounds like an angry impulse that went all wrong. The original charges were harsh enough, so I say just keep those. I don't think the kid should go unpunished. |
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| Posted by Cody Bones @ 10/30/2007 12:07 PM PDT | | | As the parent of a teenage boy, and lets be honest, these situations are about boys, I feel qualified to give an answer. Teenagers do NOT have the mental capacity or the same maturity as an adult. Their brains are not fully developed. Does this mean let them off scot-free, NO. There is a juvenile court system in place for this type of ACCIDENT. Lets also be honest. This was an accident, this kid did not mean to kill his father, he needs therapy more than anything. We set the age of maturity at 18 in this country, why do we charge children as adults? I don't know anyone who thinks that it's a good idea. Kids are stupid, and I defy anyone reading this post to say that they never did anything stupid as a child, or even things that might have caused arrest or bodily harm. USE THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM. IT"S THERE FOR A REASON. |
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| Posted by Lucyp @ 10/30/2007 12:48 PM PDT | | | Although he threw the pole at his father, murder seems too harsh a sentence and i would call it manslaughter at the very most. Here the age for criminal responsibilty is 10 and in Scotland it is 8 which makes for some interesting thoughts on different countries views. |
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| Posted by nat @ 10/30/2007 04:53 PM PDT | | | I'd agree that the original charge might be more in line. I, too, parented a teen boy, and those angry outbursts can be somewhat unexpected and quite severe. I have heard doors slam, seen fists go through hollow doors, etc. Once he grew a bit older, his hormonal outbursts mellowed, though. I mean, the dad sounded like a REAL piece of work, so how do we know that the guy wasn't egging the kid on in some way? Can't you just hear drunk/drugged up loser dad yelling something at the kids as he pulled away? |
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| Posted by O' Tim @ 10/30/2007 10:52 PM PDT | | | Though I'm loathe to align with the numbskull newscasters, I'm having a hard time seeing that lightweight aluminum pole piercing a skull with a throw that ostensibly had a hang time long enough for the dad to spin the truck into a target zone. Were there any witnesses? The kid's explanation sounds fishy. |
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| Posted by Cheezy @ 10/31/2007 01:10 AM PDT | | I voted 'Other' because it wasn't an accident, but I don't think it has too many of the hallmarks of actual murder either. For a start, as you say, there is the age to consider...
So I think any reasonable lawyer could get the kids off a murder charge... even without having to resort to 'the Chewbacca defence'. |
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| Posted by raejane @ 10/31/2007 09:11 AM PDT | | I vote 'other' also.
It wasn't accident. The kid clearly wanted to throw it at his dad.. his intent, however, was not to kill him.
They should be punished, but not for murder.
Gawd... they are probably hurting so much right now. |
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| Posted by Sinja @ 11/03/2007 05:14 PM PDT | | I actually feel pretty terrible for the kids, and the whole family in general. I don't think any punishment should be too severe, and they shouldn't be tried for murder. I think something more along the lines of involuntary manslaughter to be tried as juveniles.
I can't stress enough how much these kids need therapy, though. The drinking and drug use by their father (and I'm sure other members of their family and/or environment) puts them in a frame of mind that cannot be viewed as anywhere near competent emotionally. |
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While some felt it was murder and should be treated as such, they didn't really comment. I thought Cody's comment was spot on - we have set these benchmarks of maturity - 18 for war, 21 for beer - yet we will grant a child adult status for the purpose of punishment.
I won't worry too much about these kids, though. Remember this one? He'll be out when he's twenty one, based on evidence of abuse that came pretty much just from him. Certainly the teenage girl deserved better, if not the mom and dad. Plainly put, I saw no reason, in that case, why a juvenile sentence should not extend past the age of 21, but that's the way it is. The white ones usually tend to get a break, it seems.
And so, thanks to Cody Bones, we have the topic for another poll. Thanks, Cody!
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