Death Penalty for Children?

No, Joseph, if a child throws with the intent to kill then it's murder. This incident with the 12 year old leaves no doubt in my mind. This boy intended to kill this girl.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I disagree that this 12 year old would not be a threat if he is 'locked up'. He'll be placed in a juvenile facility with other troubled children. My best friends 16 year old cousin was there for a short while and she and her mother visited him many times. There are children as young as 7 there. This 12 year old can not kill again and get away with it tho. In Georgia, you have to be 12 years and 40 days to be tried as an adult. He was DAYS short of this when he killed the girl. Now he knows the law but so do a lot of other kids.

 

OK, Roger. I understand the emotional reason why you cannot accept this POV.

Joseph Botwinick

 

And since this happened 2 miles from my house....

 

Nope. You are wrong. I have presented a logical, well reasoned argument for executing murderers no matter what their age. The only argument I have seen from the other side thus far has been an emotional plea not to hurt the little children or label them as hardened criminals. Nevermind the fact that he committed murder. The boys age is all that seems to matter to you when it comes to his punishment.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Roger and Sheila,

I am thankful to see some compassion on this subject. I was about to just give it up and not post here anymore. But my faith in humanity has been restored. My husband is in Iraq for the next year and I my kids are grown and in and out of the house so I just wanted to find a place to spend time and make new friends.

I realize everyone has their point of view on the death penalty. I used to be very pro. Now, I am very against. I am not going to post anymore about that subject because no one is going to change their mind and I don't feel like being beaten down because of it. I am not going to respond to any post so if you post about this, I am not going to answer it as it will not be productive at all. I am stating MY opinion here.

When I first came to this board I was surprised at how UNcompassionate some post are. And it was intimidating at first to post. Now I just try not to get into it with anyone. However, I feel my opinion is JUST as important as theirs. I also hope that other posters that are new will see that their are those on here who are not ready to attack at the drop of a hat.

 

So, am I to assume that the sole purpose of you posting here was to personally attack me and Diane for being cold, heartless, cruel people. How compassionate of you. I have a different opinion than you. That does not mean that I am lacking in compassion. As I said before, if you want to attack me for my lack of compassion for the murderer, then I will only point out your lack of compassion for the girl and her family. You are not that much better than I am. You have a different opinion. Now, if you would like to come in, and make a reasonable defense for why this murderer should not be executed because of his age, then feel free and let's discuss and debate this without attacking each other's compassion. Otherwise, all you are doing is flaming and casting personal insults at other members which is against the rules of this board.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I have sincere compassion for the parents and little siblings of the 8 year old who was murdered as well as her school friends, grandparents and friends from church.

If he had murdered YOUR little girl???

 

Most likely Shiela has never met a hardened criminal that was 12 years old. Shiela is probably operating from a scope of experience that is very limited. I have seen 12 year olds hate with violence and murder in their every action and statement. The word is incorrigible. The OT does not limit the death penalty by age. The Lord Jesus would not deny His part in sending Korah and his followers and families (children included) alive into the pit. The demands of justice in a civilized culture require this crime to be dealt with in the same kind of way it would for and adult. The child killer acted with no regard for the life of the 8 yr old or her survivors. I am with Bro Joseph and Sis. Diane on this one.
Bro Joseph, I was not trying to get your goat by the way, just thought it humorous for a moment.
Thanks -------Bart

 

I see absolutely no reason for society to disarm itself by extending compassion to a murderer. All murderers should be executed - regardless of age. Note I said murderers, not those that kill someone accidentally or through negligence. Murder requires commmitting the act on purpose.

 

Agree with Ken and Bart on this.

Joseph Botwinick

 

The kid hasn't even been convicted yet, but some of you all want to string 'em up now...because God wants it that way.

You know he's guilty because he "confessed", right? This was after four hours of interrogation by police without parents or a lawyer present.

Guilty or not, a child is not an adult and the law should not treat them the same. It's ridiculous to try a child as an adult, when he's not one. If you want to change the law to make executing young children legal, then you could try him as a child and execute him as one - at least that would be honest. Much of the world already considers the US barbaric and immoral for executing old children (15-17).

 

And police say Word is wrong in these allegations.

 

Daisy,

Would you please name one person who wants to dtring him up without a trial. It certainly isn't me. I have made it quite clear that he should have a due process trial.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Perhaps, we will try to change the law. But, we are not debating what the law is, we are debating how we think things should be. BTW, I don't care what the rest of the world thinks with their oil for food scandals, despotic tyrants, et al.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Joseph,

If the 12 year old was your own son, would you still be calling for the death penalty?