http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/four/
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He brutally attacked his own father, stabbing him repeatedly with a knife, and pled guilty to charges of attempted murder in juvenile court in order to avoid being tried as an adult. Some observers questioned whether Shawn's sentence from the juvenile court judge was too lenient, and whether it showed that the system treats white offenders differently than those of other races.
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He was a "frequent flyer" in the juvenile system, with seven theft-related offenses on his record. Prosecutors believed the juvenile system could do nothing more for him, and wanted him tried as an adult for his latest offenses, auto theft and residential burglary. But his attorney believed the system had let him down and fought hard to get him one more shot.
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He took part in a violent fight, allegedly gang-related, in which one person was killed and another injured. Although tried as an adult, he served his sentence in Juvenile Hall, and by all accounts has turned his life around. To those who worked with him, Jose represents how kids, even those charged with violent offenses, can change when given a chance.
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Manny took part in an assault on a neighborhood family. One of the victims was pregnant. Because of the brutality of the attack, Manny was tried as an adult and pled guilty to seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon. On January 22, 2001, Manny was sentenced to nine years at state prison.
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These stories are very interesting. It really shows the minority disparity in the justice system. Shawn attempted to murder his own father but was not tried as an adult. Marquese, who is probably a victim of the foster care system, had a series of thefts was tried as an adult. It very difficult to see the justice in these situations.
ReplyDeleteThese accounts remind me of "Life Stories" from the "Last Chance Texas" book. All of these crimes were very violent and yet treated so differently. It is crazy that the color of your skin, the state you are tried in and your magistrate can affect the outcomes of your entire life.
ReplyDeleteYes,these stories are very interesting and race continues to always be an issue in the juvenile system. For Shawn to admit to the murder of his father and be tried as a juvenile but Marquese tried as an adult for thefts seems somewhat ridiculous to me. Race has always been a huge issue and continues to be despite the many advances that has come along in this country but it definitely still exists and I think it will be extremely difficult to completely get rid of the mishaps in the justice system.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that it was a matter of race that he was tried as an adult, it was his rap sheet that caused that.
ReplyDeleteI can't find a copy of this doc ? What happened to it?? Anyone know?
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