2 of 11

Yes

Write now Article Tools

I work with troubled teens in an alternative classroom and to a person they all know that killing someone is wrong and will be punished. It is that simple. Frankly, I do not understand the need for legal distinctions between children and adults. I have never thought we need more laws written in anticipation of every possibility. Heck the Ten Commandments, Napoleonic Code, and Hammurabi wrote some very simple to read and understand laws that worked substantially better than our current system. Of course in each case the system was designed to actually punish offenders in an effort to protect victims and society at large. Our legal system which keeps plenty of legal practitioners in jobs, exists to overrun a criminal with rights while ignoring or robbing the victim of any sense of justice.

These two kids killed another human being. Some might argue they were as drunk as the bystander who did nothing to stop them. Sorry, a decision to alter one's brain beyond a point of reason is never an excuse for taking a life. To put it in simple Texan, murder is murder regardless of the age of the offender. To make some gray area legal distinction is meaningless and further muddies the waters of justice. It should be as simple as did they do it, if they say yes or a jury says yes then its a matter of deciding their fate.

I would question the swarms of right minded people who would want to defend the rights of these teens. Where were they when a seven year-old was left with people who clearly had a bad history. I would be willing to bet these teens have previous brushes with the legal system (remember the one designed to protect us from harm). Likewise, I would take a long hard look at a parent who would leave a child in a situation where such violence and alcohol consumption occurs. I think justice has been done in the case of the parent because no court on earth could punish her more than losing a child. Now, it is time for the teens to pony up for their actions. I recognize that in an age where institutions and not individuals must take responsibility for crime I am shouting into the wind.

Other offenders in this case are companies and individuals who produce violent games and entertainment and then like Pilate try to wash their hands, "There is a warning label on it." or "That's a parent's job to protect kids from our harmful products." I have always felt that making a buck while knowingly harming another was wrong. I guess, I am in the minority of people who think being good is more important than being rich.

I am not going to claim any special wisdom in this situation. All I know for sure is a seven year-old girl is dead. I also believe firmly that either in this life or another evil deeds are counted and paid for. Unfortunately, I realize the kind of money being made by marketing sex, violence, and plain evil to children is a multi-million dollar industry with no intention of letting up. This means we can expect more violence by children and adults seeking the protection of a system of justice that defends staunchly the rights of criminals while ignoring those it was created to protect.

Learn more about this author, T. M. Beeker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should the children who killed a seven-year-old "Mortal Kombat-style" be tried as adults??
We want to hear your view. Write now!