Juvenile Justice System

1. I read the article "2 Teens To Be Tried As Adults In Couple's Deaths". Anthony Zarro, seventeen, and Christopher Allen, sixteen, are accused for the deaths of Paul and Margaret Brooks. The Brooks were vacationing at their son's lake house in Lampe, Missouri in January of this year. The teens, Zarro and Allen, ran away from Lives Under Construction Ranch, a facility for at-risk youth. Zarro and Allen broke into an empty home and several days later killed the Brooks. In an interview Zarro states, "I killed them. I beat them with a baseball bat and stabbed them." Both teens pleaded not guilty to both charges; first-degree murder and armed criminal action. This article from CBS Detroit did not mention any background on the two teens or the victims. The families of both the accused and victims did not have anything to say when asked to speak towards the hearings. The trial is set for May 29th. As of now Anthony Zarro and Christopher Allen are being held in the Stone County Jail on a $2 million bond. There was no public comment or outcry on the webpage of this article but I am certain talk about this case concerning the two juveniles will increase as May 29th approaches. The teens have not said anything and will likely keep quiet until their trial.

2. Seeing how both teens are telling the truth to the authorities and admitting they both killed Paul and Margaret Brooks, I believe brain research should be performed in this case. It's difficult to say much about this case since the trial is at a later date this month, but we should take research into account since we are all still unaware of the motive. If we outlawed trying juveniles as adults, Zarro and Allen would not be on a $2 million bond and I'm sure some type of protest would become established. If at the time of the crime, the accused juveniles were adults, this change would change magnificently. It wouldn't take four months until the two boys are to stand trial and the time in prison would be much longer due to age and seriousness of crime. Once again, the sentencing has not been released. If I was a judge I would still establish the $2 million bond and give both teens at least thirty years in prison. (Keep in mind this is without knowledge of the motive)

3. This article isn't the best example of what the case has to say about the juvenile justice system...but I will answer it anyway. Zarro and Allen killed two adults on January 31st of this year, and are charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. It is now May ninth and nothing has been done. The trial is twenty days from today. Our juvenile justice needs to step up. I am surprised, to say the least, to think that four months have gone by and the families of the victims have no answers. It should not take this long to receive an answer or at least the motive. You might be thinking, in some cases its taken years. Yes I am aware but these are teens we are talking about, they must speak at one point or another throughout the course of being locked up for four months. Reading about this case was very shocking, mostly because one of the boys is my age and I would never kill someone. Our juvenile justice system should take more of an"initiative" to learn more on the case. I believe brain research should be conducted and a background check on Zarro and Allen. One does not go to vacation and end up dead. 

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Discussion questions from presentation

1. What is your deepest fear? Does it agree with Williamson's idea of typical fear, or not?
2. Has fear ever stopped you from doing something you wanted to achieve?
3. What stops you from being and doing what you really want to do? (in other words- what, if anything, is stopping you from conquering your fear? Is it yourself or is it how you think others may perceive you?)
4. How do you think your fears will affect your future? Is it necessary to get over your fears now when you still have a life ahead of you?

Trying Juveniles as Adults

Whether one is fifteen or fifty years old and he/she has committed a crime, this is not only astonishing to think about but also difficult to imagine. In Greg Krikorian's article, "Many Kids Called Unfit for Adult Trial..", Krikorian describes how many juveniles who are tried as adults may be unable to stand trial because they are unable "emotionally and intellectually" to contribute to their own defense. I am both ways on the entire situation of charging juveniles as adults. Yes, if a minor committed a severe crime, such as murdering an elder, they should face a much more serious consequence than an individual who robs a store. I do not believe however, that such consequences can influence minor on the act committed. The Atlantic Month specifies how Whitman developed a tumor which caused the series of shots which included a receptionist, two families, and other pedestrians. He damaged his amygdala, initially causing both "emotional and social disturbance". This being said, I don't believe the jury should take into consideration the crime and how "serious" it is based on the person. Factors such as genetics, medication (if applicable) and the environment one is in for most of their time should help the jury decide if minors should be tried as adults. Then again, how can anyone ever really know what to take into account in such a serious manner? Yes, we are given evidence from other individuals who witnessed the crime but we are missing the bigger picture.