Maryland bill would take Murder 1 off the table for those under 25 in certain situations

[exboyfil]

This is creating a bit of a firestorm in conservative circles. I happen to agree with them that this seems like a bad idea. The following bill would prevent a Murder 1 conviction if someone under 25 commits the murder in the commission of another crime like carjacking. This effectively reduces the maximum sentence from life to 40 years (Murder 2). The justification is that murder convictions disproportionately impact African Americans in Maryland when compared to the population and that younger minds have less ability to comprehend the results of their actions.

On the flip side the victims are far more likely to also be African American. I think this type of bill just devalues their lives. I want maximum deterrents in place for violent crimes like robbery and car jacking - shouldn't everyone?

From a purely political standpoint, does this type of bill help to garner additional votes or lose votes? The sponsor is a Maryland state Democrat Representative.


"Providing that a person who was under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense may not be found to have committed murder in the first degree if the charge is based on a murder committed in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a certain felony."




https://trackbill.com/bill/maryland-house-bill-1180-criminal-law-youth-accountability-and-safety-act/2363371/

[unweird]

1. Let's get at the root of the matter

I want maximum deterrents in place for violent crimes like robbery and car jacking - shouldn't everyone?

Let’s get to the root and expend efforts to eliminate the factors contributing to these crimes. Deterrence doesn’t work to prevent the crimes in the first place. I would rather invest in prevention than in maintaining or expanding reactive revenge in the name of punishment.

My two cents

[MichMan]

3. What factors cause someone to commit murder to steal a car?

Other than a depraved indifference to life ?

[unweird]

5. Perhaps their personal experience has never demonstrated respect for their life

Not having been accorded respect for their life it would be hard to spontaneously demonstrate respect for others.

[MichMan]

6. One could say the same for any murderers

Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, 9/11 terrorists, McVeigh, Hitler, or Stalin all had personal experiences that caused them to do what they did.

[unweird]

7. Even more reason to provide better nurturing

[LoisB]

2. Bad idea. Really bad idea.

[MichMan]

4. If people under 25 don't have the mental acumen to comprehend their actions....

Should they be allowed to drink at 21 or vote at 18, then ?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. Works for me. It's a start.