Quote:
Originally Posted by kevmartin  My opinion is that this is a prime example of a case which does warrant a long term custodial sentence. The kids age is a very minor factor (if even a factor at all). Prisons are full of people, many doing doing long term sentences for crimes that do not warrant such punishments (not 60 years no, I think very few get that type of sentence). I'm talking about things like non-violent or so-called 'victimless' crimes - if you want to start looking at reducing sentences where there was some kind of justification or explanation for a persons action, I would look there.
If you want to talk about prison sentences not being rehabilitative, you need to improve the prison system, not stop sending people to prisons because the prison system is ineffective.
As for sex offenders, there is I think an issue to be considered, but not pertaining to this kid. I am referring to what is considered a sex offence. I have heard of people being registered as sex offenders for basically doing nothing more than being naked in their own back yard (not heard personally, in a TV documentary). Because somehow they get charged with indecent exposure and that automatically means registration as a sex offender. Something doesn't add up there to my mind. |
We don't really know what caused this boy to go berserk and attack that little girl like that or the way that he did. It could very well be a mind problem or maybe he could be autistic or something else.
Autistic teens are very dangerous to themselves and others. It was an autistic 16-year-old boy who attacked and murdered a classmate in Methuen in the school's bathroom over a year ago. The boy is still in juvie awaiting a decision from the judge.
Just because a rock was thrown at him, it doesn't mean that he had the right to attack and sexually assault her, no. I'm not condoning that.
But I DO think that there is something terribly wrong with the boy. If I threw something at him, would he come after me and attack me like that? Maybe, maybe not, who knows?
I just don't like what the judge did by throwing him in prison without trying to find out what caused him to go nuts and insane like that in the first place! I think the judge mainly wanted to make a big example out of him.
It is more than just the rock being thrown at him. There ARE programs to help kids and adults who are suffering from psychological problems like this.
As far as the system goes in general, it is definitely broken and needs to be fixed! A young child shouldn't just be condemmed and thrown behind bars because he's done something wrong. At least it doesn't work that way in some states. They should have tried to have him evaluated first in a program, THEN make a decision after he's been in the program for a while.
This event could have a very dangerous effect on the boy - to the point where he might try to commit suicide! That's part of the reason why I say that he desparately needs help before it's too late.
He attacked and mauled this girl. Next time, he might MURDER someone!!
Oh. And yes, he's had some serious problems at home and in his neighborhood, BTW. He bullied the neighbors and he pretty much had the run of the house, threatening and terrorizing his parents at times. People were so terrified of him that they didn't even try to talk to him or stop him from being so mean & nasty!
