Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike F
My only knowledge is the story linked to above, but if that summarizes the story correctly, she encouraged her adult boyfriend, but there's no evidence that she actively participated in killing them. I don't think it takes an irredeemably evil person to wish their family dead when they're 12. Take someone with a not-uncommon behavioural disorder, expose them to a goth culture, violent media, and an adult love interest, and it's not hard for me to believe they'll feel like they're being stifled by their family (what teenager doesn't feel like that to some degree) and will start fantasizing about how great their life would be if their family were out of the way. It's having a murderous adult psychopath who will carry out the act as the audience that leads to the real danger.
If she did her time, grew up, got extensive therapy, and the opinions of her supervisors are that she's safe to rejoin society, then I think that's a win for our justice system and something that should be (to some degree) celebrated.
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I'm also not a psychologist. However, there is a reason we don't let 12 year olds vote, drink alcohol, drive, or generally make life changing decisions. They are 12.
It's hypocritical to hold someone we consider a child to the moral standard of an adult while simultaneously not giving them the accompanying responsibility. Children that young are capable of understanding right from wrong, but not entirely capable of understanding the long term implications of their choices.
It should also be noted that this girl did not get off with a slap on the wrist. She was in full custody until 18. That means her entire junior and senior high school experience was jail. She has more freedom now. But that's after a decade of being closely monitored.
I also don't buy the argument that the 23 year old boyfriend was so dimwitted he was incapable of resisting manipulation from a 12 year old. Yes, he was weird and said weird things. He, however, isn't an invalid. He was considered fit to stand trial.