Malvo Sentencing

[2kitties]

Dear PT DogHousers,
Let's be careful with this one because we all know it can be a hot topic.

I don't know what I think about Malvo's punishment. I am for the death penalty in many cases, but I'm troubled that he was only 17 when the crimes were committied.
He was clearly influenced by an adult, but at the same time, 17 is not 12.
So I thought I'd post here since we have members in his age group. My first impression is that 17 is old enough to know that murder is WRONG. A 17 year old should at least be mature enough to know he can't go around shooting people. He is old enough to accept the consequences of his actions.
Then I think about other actions of 17 year olds. I certainly don't think 17 year olds are mature enough to be parents, for instance.

To the 17 year olds on PT, do you believe you are old enough to know that murder is wrong and to understand that your actions could have very very harsh consequences, should you chooose to take a life?

So, should a 17 year old be executed- regardless of the heinousness of his crimes?

Then I think about all the school violence in our country. There must be some way to communicate to teens that there are punishments for violent actions.

And, does the jury really have a choice? In VA, 16 & 17 year olds are eligible for execution. If the crimes fit into the necessary standards, are they obligated to return a death sentence?

Confused, 2K.

[popcornbird]

You know...............I really don't know. Although a 17/18 year old, in my opinion, is not at the most mature age, and most people at that age still have some childishness in them, I can't help but believe that for something like THIS, a teen SHOULD be held fully accountable. 17 is not 5...........its not an age where a youngster is unaware of what he's doing. Heck, I think even a 12 year old should be accountable for doing something like this.........maybe not to the extent of a 17 year old, but still........this is something that every human should have conciousness about, regardless of the age. A *child* is different, but for a teen, this is totally unacceptable. Teens KNOW what they are doing........and while they go through periods of frustration, they STILL know what they are doing, and know what's right or wrong, and should be held accountable for committing such a crime........... Its not something you can say *He's young and didn't know any better* about..........because he DID know better than that. I think.........I *think* I believe he should be charged as an adult.

[Soledad]

Wow. This is a hard one.

I'm opposed to the death penalty for my own moral reasons, but this is one case where I don't feel the need to get too worked up about it, if you know what I mean.

I feel like Malvo is a truly tragic human being who probably shouldn't have been born.

[babolaypo65]

He was 18 when the trial happened, and was completely unremorseful. I'm not sure what I think.... except I'm VERY happy he was convicted.

[Twisterdog]

My son is twelve years old. He knows right from wrong. He knows murder is very, very wrong. He knows if you point a gun at someone and pull the trigger, they are going to die. He knew this a long time ago, actually.

Eighteen year olds can drive a car, can vote, can buy cigarettes, can join to Army and die for their country.

It's old enough. He knew.

[CathyBogart]

He knew, and I'm all for the death penalty. He deserves to die, and there is no doubt in my mind about that.

[aly]

I don't like the death penalty, but I'm with Soledad on this one. I think Malvo should be held accountable. I really don't believe that he was "brainwashed". I think thats a bunch of crap to try to get him off. Good thing it didn't work.


Have you all seen that other serial killer who was just sentenced? I forgot his name but he's been all over the news. He killed 38 women and he had to sit there while all the families of the victims got to go up to the microphone and say whatever they wanted to him. I think judges should have that happen more often.

[Nomilynn]

perhaps I'm just dumb, but could someone please inform me as to who this person is, and what case it's referring to? Sorry.. I just don't recognise the name

[aly]

Malvo is the 17 yr old accomplice to John Muhammed in the DC sniper cases.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/sniper.legal/

These are trial updates (and there are other links at the very bottom of the page)

http://crime.about.com/library/blfil...ates-malvo.htm

[Nomilynn]

OOH ok thanks for letting me know

[2kitties]

I'm so interested to see what the jury decides because, no matter what we think, they were there in the moment and we weren't. Soledad, you were there, what was it like to live there during that time?
I think the jury has a unique perspective on the terror of the situation- something I really can't understand sitting at my desk in Wisconsin.

[Soledad]

Actually, I wasn't here yet. I was still living in NZ. But people here are still really traumatised from the whole thing. I can't imagine how frightening it must have been.

[Freckles]

Originally posted by aly
Have you all seen that other serial killer who was just sentenced? I forgot his name but he's been all over the news. He killed 38 women and he had to sit there while all the families of the victims got to go up to the microphone and say whatever they wanted to him. I think judges should have that happen more often.

Gary Ridgeway, aka Green River Killer, killed 48 women mostly near Seattle WA. Most died between 1982-84. DNA linked him to seven of the early deaths. In exchange for no death penalty for the 7 deaths, he agreed to plead guilty and give information regarding location of bodies. He was sentenced to 48 Consecutive life terms.

[trayi52]

I don't particularly like the death sentence either, but as far as him knowing right from wrong, yes he knew right from wrong. He had to have known that taking a life is wrong. As much as I hate the death penalty, I think about how they would react if it was they who were be shot at. If you so willingly take a life with no remorse, then why would you fight so hard to save your own life. I still cannot figure that out.

Maybe what I said does not make sense to you, I really can't explain what I am trying to say. Mixed feelings?

Is this person going to try and fight the death penalty? After he took lives and did not give the people a chance to fight for their life? I don't want to see anybody die, but then again I didn't loose a loved one either. Like I said I guess I am just confusing everybody here, I am confused myself. I do know he was old enough to know right from wrong, all my children at that age did.

As far as being charged, and found guilty, I agree that he should be held accountable.

[aly]

I agree with everything you said Tray! I am just as confused as you I guess

But really, everything you said made total sense to me and I feel the same way.