Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Why does the US gov. have the option to prosecute a 14yo as an adult?

flat5 · 10-12-2007, 03:28 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/us...th&oref=slogin

October 12, 2007
Boy, 14, Seized in Plot to Open Fire at School
By JON HURDLE and IAN URBINA

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Oct. 11 — A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday night after the police received a tip that he was plotting a shooting spree at a high school in this northern suburb of Philadelphia, the authorities said.

The police said that the boy had been planning a “Columbine style” attack on students at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and that in searching his home, they had found a 9-millimeter assault rifle, dozens of authentic-looking BB and air guns, and seven hand grenades he was making, four of which were operational.

At a news conference Thursday, the Montgomery County district attorney, Bruce L. Castor Jr., stood before a table that held the seized weaponry, which looked daunting even though most of it was air-powered imitations.

The genuine assault rifle, for which no ammunition was found in the home, was bought legally at a gun show by the boy’s mother, the police said. But she bought it for her son, Mr. Castor said, adding that as a result his office was still deciding what charges to file against her, if any.

The boy, whose name was withheld because he is a minor, attended the middle school associated with Plymouth Whitemarsh until 18 months ago, when his parents began schooling him at home because he was being bullied by other students, the police said. He tried to recruit another onetime student at the school to join him in the attack, they said, and that former student alerted the police.

Officers searched the family’s house with the consent of the boy’s parents and, the authorities said, found notebooks detailing violent acts, an Army handbook on counterinsurgency operations and a DVD entitled “Game Over in Littleton,” a documentary on the 1999 rampage in which two students at Columbine High School in Colorado shot to death 12 schoolmates and a teacher before committing suicide.

Mr. Castor said he did not believe an attack had been imminent.

“It could have simply been big talking,” he said, “by a kid who thought that he was bullied previously, and he was going to exact his revenge.”

Mr. Castor said he was considering whether to charge the boy as an adult. For now, he has been charged as a juvenile with various offenses including criminal attempt and possession of a criminal instrument, said Joseph Lawrence, deputy chief of the Plymouth Township Police Department. Mr. Lawrence declined to elaborate on the charges.

Jon Hurdle reported from Plymouth Meeting, and Ian Urbina from Washington.
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Why does the US gov. have the option to prosecute a 14yo as an adult?

Killing people is a serious crime...or planning to.
But the purp is a 14 year old.

Is this good law practice or politically motivated? or what?

The kid needs a repair job on his head.
Putting this kid in an environment such as prison will only increase his deviant skills.

10-12-2007, 03:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Why does the US gov. have the option to prosecute a 14yo as an adult? http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/us...th&oref=slogin October 12, 2007 Boy, 14, Seized in Plot to Open Fire at School By JON HURDLE and IAN URBINA PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Oct. 11 — A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday night after the police received a tip that he was plotting a shooting spree at a high school in this northern suburb of Philadelphia, the authorities said. The police said that the boy had been planning a “Columbine style” attack on students at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and that in searching his home, they had found a 9-millimeter assault rifle, dozens of authentic-looking BB and air guns, and seven hand grenades he was making, four of which were operational. At a news conference Thursday, the Montgomery County district attorney, Bruce L. Castor Jr., stood before a table that held the seized weaponry, which looked daunting even though most of it was air-powered imitations. The genuine assault rifle, for which no ammunition was found in the home, was bought legally at a gun show by the boy’s mother, the police said. But she bought it for her son, Mr. Castor said, adding that as a result his office was still deciding what charges to file against her, if any. The boy, whose name was withheld because he is a minor, attended the middle school associated with Plymouth Whitemarsh until 18 months ago, when his parents began schooling him at home because he was being bullied by other students, the police said. He tried to recruit another onetime student at the school to join him in the attack, they said, and that former student alerted the police. Officers searched the family’s house with the consent of the boy’s parents and, the authorities said, found notebooks detailing violent acts, an Army handbook on counterinsurgency operations and a DVD entitled “Game Over in Littleton,” a documentary on the 1999 rampage in which two students at Columbine High School in Colorado shot to death 12 schoolmates and a teacher before committing suicide. Mr. Castor said he did not believe an attack had been imminent. “It could have simply been big talking,” he said, “by a kid who thought that he was bullied previously, and he was going to exact his revenge.” Mr. Castor said he was considering whether to charge the boy as an adult. For now, he has been charged as a juvenile with various offenses including criminal attempt and possession of a criminal instrument, said Joseph Lawrence, deputy chief of the Plymouth Township Police Department. Mr. Lawrence declined to elaborate on the charges. Jon Hurdle reported from Plymouth Meeting, and Ian Urbina from Washington. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why does the US gov. have the option to prosecute a 14yo as an adult? Killing people is a serious crime...or planning to. But the purp is a 14 year old. Is this good law practice or politically motivated? or what? The kid needs a repair job on his head. Putting this kid in an environment such as prison will only increase his deviant skills. Last edited by flat5; 10-12-2007 at 03:32 AM..