General Discussion

cali

(114,904 posts) Thu Nov 21, 2013, 08:00 PM Nov 2013

the worst is true: MA teacher raped before being murdered by 14 year old student [View all]

A 14-year-old boy last month allegedly raped Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer inside a second-floor bathroom of the school before murdering her and dumping her body in a nearby wooded area, prosecutors said today.

Philip D. Chism was indicted by an Essex County grand jury today on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office. Chism allegedly attacked Ritzer when she stayed after school to talk with him about an upcoming exam, according to prosecutors and students who were in the building that day.

“The indictments returned today detail horrific and unspeakable acts,” Blodgett said in a statement. “This is the first step in a long process to secure justice for Ms. Ritzer and her family.”

Chism is facing the murder charge as an adult. He was indicted as a youthful offender on the rape and armed robbery charges. The latter charges will initially be handled in Salem Juvenile Court, but prosecutors said they “would move to join these indictments with the murder indictment in Superior Court.”

<snip>

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/11/21/philip-chism-accused-raping-murdering-danvers-high-teacher-colleen-ritzer/jGdMVl1PumhF39uZ7lrbIN/story.html

357 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

the worst is true: MA teacher raped before being murdered by 14 year old student [View all] cali Nov 2013 OP

It's a horrific crime, but 14 is not an adult BainsBane Nov 2013 #1

I agree. I do thing though that there should be some mechanism that ensures that he is not cali Nov 2013 #2

Yeah, I'm not sure what options exist in the juvenile justice system BainsBane Nov 2013 #3

You might find this interesting. enlightenment Nov 2013 #5

Sorry, but... GaYellowDawg Nov 2013 #6

I agree. He knew what he was doing. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #11

The frontal lobe of the brain hasn't come close to fully developing yet at that stage. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #35

I admit it. FBaggins Nov 2013 #108

Then thank you for being part of the problem, and one of the reasons why... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #114

Sorry... you've confused your terms FBaggins Nov 2013 #171

Arguments from emotion are not a solid basis for any justice system. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #172

Justice System for Whom? 4Q2u2 Nov 2013 #235

Agree get the red out Nov 2013 #65

I agree. He needs to be tried as an adult. n/t whathehell Nov 2013 #206

I remember that age for me, I certainly had no impulses such as that, neither did RKP5637 Nov 2013 #111

I contemplated killing my father at that age. newcriminal Nov 2013 #120

you didn't know killing someone was wrong at that age ? JI7 Nov 2013 #156

He must have because something prompted him to not go through with it. Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #184

She, I didn't know how to load a revolver. newcriminal Nov 2013 #192

My apologies. The gender thing happens to me a lot as well. Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #195

No, because my 14 year old brain jumped to something else after I couldn't get that gun open. newcriminal Nov 2013 #209

His fourteen year old brain premeditated this crime. MADem Nov 2013 #242

I wouldn't want a cop living next door to me either, newcriminal Nov 2013 #243

I have to disagree. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #245

We will have to agree to disagree newcriminal Nov 2013 #248

Fair enough. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #250

Dont children who get charged as juvenile automatically get out at 18 - 22? DragonBorn Nov 2013 #255

Calling him a monster make you feel better? newcriminal Nov 2013 #256

I'll never understand DragonBorn Nov 2013 #258

He is a minor, so yes that is an appropriate sentence. newcriminal Nov 2013 #260

+1 This entire thread is an eye opener for me. I actually thought that only conservative mindset, idwiyo Nov 2013 #308

If I had my way Boudica the Lyoness Nov 2013 #346

Your post is an abject reminder of why justice is dispensed in a court of law and not by rug Nov 2013 #347

Give me a break, smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #349

He's a fourteen year old and you say he deserves to die. newcriminal Nov 2013 #357

+1000 smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #275

+1000 smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #276

You don't get to decide. Massachusetts law says that premeditated, felony murderers ARE tried as MADem Nov 2013 #246

You are right I don't get to decide, doesn't mean I have to agree with it. newcriminal Nov 2013 #251

This is a premeditated murderer whose crime was especially heinous. MADem Nov 2013 #253

yeah because having a republican a cop or a rapist-murderer living next door are all equally arely staircase Nov 2013 #342

yes, I did, but at that age kids don't think clearly. newcriminal Nov 2013 #191

Oh, you're wrong about this 14yo. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #249

Me either...I just don't get where all this conscienceless young hate is coming from. n/t whathehell Nov 2013 #207

I often wonder if it's an imitation of the hatred they are surrounded by today, violence in RKP5637 Nov 2013 #213

Yep, I don't buy into it that he's too young to know what he was doing/did. If, that were the case, RKP5637 Nov 2013 #327

I am beginning to wonder if European countries have this sort of thing in a very big way? CTyankee Nov 2013 #9

The brain continues to develop until around age 25 marshall Nov 2013 #127

question, do you believe some people are just evil? snooper2 Nov 2013 #128

I remember that movie BainsBane Nov 2013 #131

There is one mechanism that ensures exactly that tularetom Nov 2013 #13

Mass. doesn't have it KamaAina Nov 2013 #14

Someone forgot to tell Philip D. Chism that. Fla_Democrat Nov 2013 #18

The Commonwealth as a whole is civilized. KamaAina Nov 2013 #21

Chism had only moved to MA last summer Tanuki Nov 2013 #36

The Supreme Court has said executing children is illegal BainsBane Nov 2013 #69

F'real. TroglodyteScholar Nov 2013 #4

As long as he is locked away from society for the rest of his life seveneyes Nov 2013 #8

I agree, he's a child not an adult. newcriminal Nov 2013 #12

Three "kids" killed a man in my town playing the knock-out game. Beacool Nov 2013 #88

That makes no sense at all. newcriminal Nov 2013 #96

For other crimes, yeah, I agree. Fantastic Anarchist Nov 2013 #28

You have a hard time seeing why he can't be held responsible as an adult? eqfan592 Nov 2013 #37

That would be amusing if this weren't so horrible... PCIntern Nov 2013 #55

You still seem to be under the delusion that the type of crime somehow indicates a level of... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #60

no, it's that this exact type of crime makes it too risky to bet on rehabilitation. bettyellen Nov 2013 #82

Agree!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2013 #112

I applaud you for putting up the good fight here. morningfog Nov 2013 #130

I appreciate it. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #142

It's mutual. n/t Chan790 Nov 2013 #163

I take that as a complement. nt eqfan592 Nov 2013 #165

You shouldn't. GaYellowDawg Nov 2013 #351

My nephew was a completely different person over the course of those years. woodsprite Nov 2013 #149

I'm sorry for your situation, however anecdotes do not equate to... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #164

you have yet to provide one iota of scientific evidence backing your claims magical thyme Nov 2013 #309

juvenile recidivism magical thyme Nov 2013 #310

Who cares if he is going to be a "different person" Decaffeinated Nov 2013 #178

I disagree with your standard. morningfog Nov 2013 #179

What else is required then? Decaffeinated Nov 2013 #180

I'm not saying he shouldn't be charged and sentenced. morningfog Nov 2013 #183

The brain isn't fully developed at age 18 either. mythology Nov 2013 #291

Please do not lecture me in the subject PCIntern Nov 2013 #152

Forty years of experience and you fail to understand basic human brain development. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #217

Amazing, ain't it? ieoeja Nov 2013 #225

I think today was the first time somebody tried to call my point into question.. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #231

Facts should never be part of the equation. ieoeja Nov 2013 #254

Psych research is almost never double blinded Drahthaardogs Nov 2013 #296

we are all lectured that we "don't understand brain development" magical thyme Nov 2013 #298

I based my post on emotion ... Fantastic Anarchist Nov 2013 #70

When you were 14 Union Scribe Nov 2013 #159

You should spend some time studying human brain development. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #162

It is a logical question you don't want to answer. Union Scribe Nov 2013 #169

It's a far more complex issue than that. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #173

No, it isn't more complex than that. 14 year olds know right from wrong. MADem Nov 2013 #282

Ya know what, let's look at this from another angle. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #174

More deflections without addressing the main point. Union Scribe Nov 2013 #177

And you once again miss the point entirely. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #215

Wow, that was rude. I don't think the poster missed anything--and you are assuming facts not in MADem Nov 2013 #283

The poster made him look like a complete f'in idiot. GaYellowDawg Nov 2013 #352

Wow. You are really an idiiot. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #355

You keep making these appeals to statistics then lecturing people Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #190

What an interesting justification for treating children as adults in the justice system. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #216

In other words, you lack a rebuttal and want to shame people into not responding. Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #219

So your justification is that through some never before seen property... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #220

"some never before seen property" Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #221

Simply because 14 year old children of ages past were often asked... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #224

Statistics, insults and hyperbole. Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #226

Not nearly as sexy of a ring as "ignore" has . eqfan592 Nov 2013 #229

So, what other democratically enacted laws would you see circumvented by "studies"? n/t Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #230

I don't think anyone posting here on this thread would feel comfortable with that particular MADem Nov 2013 #244

Agreed. He certainly displayed consciousness of guilt when he staged the body. Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #263

I keep seeing this kcr Nov 2013 #267

it has to do with how you feel about incarceration for the public's safety. bettyellen Nov 2013 #269

This isn't a little boy who shot his abusive, child-beating father. MADem Nov 2013 #273

you won't get a reply because its not about the statitics or theoricals on his brain function, bettyellen Nov 2013 #268

You are probably right but like I said, I wouldn't want that "statistic" living next door to me. MADem Nov 2013 #277

it is chilling behavior, and no one knows how to predict who will reoffend bettyellen Nov 2013 #287

I think he'll likely wind up in a secure psych facility. MADem Nov 2013 #288

You do know if charged as a juvinile he will be released in 3 - 8 years DragonBorn Nov 2013 #259

He won't be charged as a juvenile. MA law prohibits it in felony murder cases. MADem Nov 2013 #278

Grow the fuck up. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #350

Then we need to change the system so that a few juvenile offenders can get longer sentences. Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #80

It is when the crime is that heinous in the Commonwealth of MA. MADem Nov 2013 #143

Yes, he should. Per state law. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #348

Life in prison, throw away the key. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #7

+100. n/t Skip Intro Nov 2013 #10

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #15

I am interested in learning that there is no chance he will become a repeat offender. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #17

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #20

He's not sick. He's evil. there's a difference. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #24

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #27

I bet he was fed junk food from an early age. Are you saying mentally ill people were all abused? uppityperson Nov 2013 #30

All behavior is a mix of learned and biological. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #32

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #33

Hospital would expose nurses and other workers to danger from him. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #34

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #43

I oppose the death penalty. Life in prison is fine. nt geek tragedy Nov 2013 #49

You want to train a rapist/murderer to work in a hospital? uppityperson Nov 2013 #39

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #56

Don't lock them in a cage, but drug them and lock them in a ward? Not sure why those uppityperson Nov 2013 #67

Oh what bullshit. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #41

I think that raping and murdering for entertainment is evil. You are free to disagree. nt geek tragedy Nov 2013 #45

It's no more evil than pretending a 14 year old child is an adult... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #47

That's a grotesquely stupid thing to say. nt geek tragedy Nov 2013 #59

No, what's grotesquely stupid is attempting to treat a 14 year old child as an adult. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #61

You're more horrified by my posts than by his crime. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #62

Nice straw man argument. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #66

You're awfully quick to use extreme hyperbole geek tragedy Nov 2013 #72

So you feel that there are varying degrees of "evil" as well? eqfan592 Nov 2013 #90

When you use phrases like 'no more evil than' you are in fact downplaying it. nt geek tragedy Nov 2013 #93

No, I'm not. But you seem incapable of understanding that. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #94

Yes... you kinda did. LanternWaste Nov 2013 #87

Note he said "more horrified." eqfan592 Nov 2013 #89

Did you grow up on a farm? snooper2 Nov 2013 #129

This message was self-deleted by its author Go Vols Nov 2013 #141

you equated this brutal rape and murder -"It's no more evil" than pretending a 14 year old child bettyellen Nov 2013 #139

You missed the point completely. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #144

that is because you view it as revenge, I view it as a wise move for public safety. bettyellen Nov 2013 #148

Thank you for demonstrating your lack of understanding. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #161

Post removed Post removed Nov 2013 #353

+1 Cha Nov 2013 #140

He is on a roll. Rex Nov 2013 #214

I'm not pretending any such thing. eqfan592 Nov 2013 #218

Not for nothing, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #228

Kids Have a Developed Conscience By 10 YO Or So Upward Nov 2013 #295

You are just ridiculous. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #313

He had a boxcutter on him, that he got from the art room, and a change of clothes. MADem Nov 2013 #147

How do you know he's sick? greatauntoftriplets Nov 2013 #52

He has to be sick because mentally healthy people do not rape, murder. So by definition uppityperson Nov 2013 #74

So let's blame the victim! greatauntoftriplets Nov 2013 #75

Big-pharma and fast food ventures. uppityperson Nov 2013 #76

Physicians! greatauntoftriplets Nov 2013 #79

I agree he is sick, but this kind of sociopathy is generally not curable. bettyellen Nov 2013 #85

You are just wrong. morningfog Nov 2013 #132

So what? Decaffeinated Nov 2013 #181

He can't get the death penalty. Thankfully, the Supreme Court has morningfog Nov 2013 #187

How long do you think he should get? Decaffeinated Nov 2013 #212

He is an extreme sexual predator as well as a rapist. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #182

You have no foundation for that. morningfog Nov 2013 #186

He went to the fucking movies after raping and torturing and murdering geek tragedy Nov 2013 #188

Again, you have no foundation to deem that whatever went wrong in his head morningfog Nov 2013 #189

It's textbook sociopathy, and it doesn't get cured. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #193

I am impressed by your ability to make bullshit diagnoses. morningfog Nov 2013 #196

He planned the kidnapping/rape/torture/murder of his teacher, then went home, changed geek tragedy Nov 2013 #199

Clearly something went very wrong in his head. morningfog Nov 2013 #203

o rly? geek tragedy Nov 2013 #222

he can watch the rape/torture porn then he wont do it in real life? nt seabeyond Nov 2013 #198

That's it, he's a victim of not having access to rape porn. nt geek tragedy Nov 2013 #200

see. we have a whole new form of therapy for these bottomfeeders. feed them the worst of the seabeyond Nov 2013 #204

for real, i would like for them to go thru his computer at home, or his phone and get back to us. seabeyond Nov 2013 #210

What's the recidivism rate for young offenders thucythucy Nov 2013 #289

He may be a human being, but he committed RebelOne Nov 2013 #19

Completely agreed. Union Scribe Nov 2013 #158

Perhaps it is not right to try him as an adult LittleBlue Nov 2013 #16

Trying him as a juvenile automatically means he gets a chance geek tragedy Nov 2013 #22

That's right! In fact, just lock EVERYBODY up! eqfan592 Nov 2013 #42

That is one bizarre, irrational argument. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #48

It's exactly the same level of rationality as you continue to try and use to justify... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #63

How is that treating a 14 year old child as though they were an adult???...... meti57b Nov 2013 #83

You think locking somebody up in the US prison system... eqfan592 Nov 2013 #91

Oh,enough with this pity for a "child". smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #285

Most of the people in this thread have a defensible point of view Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #73

Quails? HangOnKids Nov 2013 #113

To "quail" enlightenment Nov 2013 #117

The word is quell not quail HangOnKids Nov 2013 #119

look further down... opiate69 Nov 2013 #121

Thanks! I never heard it used like that. HangOnKids Nov 2013 #122

no problemo.. opiate69 Nov 2013 #123

No, it is quail. enlightenment Nov 2013 #124

The suspicion that he'll do it again seems to be the motivation behind a lot kcr Nov 2013 #115

Except that's the reason we lock up all murderers Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #262

Not really. kcr Nov 2013 #266

This /\ renie408 Nov 2013 #23

He should be released at some point, rehabilitation depending. morningfog Nov 2013 #133

What happened? get the red out Nov 2013 #233

Right, or whatever--it's Massachusetts law. MADem Nov 2013 #247

How does this happen? How does a 14-year old become a rapist & murderer? scarletwoman Nov 2013 #25

Disorder get the red out Nov 2013 #234

How do you figure out if someone is irrevocably screwed up? renie408 Nov 2013 #26

14 is old enough to know what murder is and to know fundamental right and wrong. magical thyme Nov 2013 #29

How can you be so SURE? renie408 Nov 2013 #38

What "extenuating circumstances" would in any way excuse his rape and murder of this woman? uppityperson Nov 2013 #44

Nothing excuses it, but something might explain it. renie408 Nov 2013 #51

well that is the sole extenuating circumstance. magical thyme Nov 2013 #68

that kid put a shot gun in both his grand parents' mouths, shot them repeatedly and THEN burned the bettyellen Nov 2013 #81

What do you think they gave him meds for? kcr Nov 2013 #103

he had a history of suicidal behaviour and acting out which is why he was on meds. bettyellen Nov 2013 #126

No; homicidal behavior as well. But of course, I'm just part of the Tin-Foil Hat Brigade. WinkyDink Nov 2013 #331

Name one extenuating circumstance that justifies murder and rape. magical thyme Nov 2013 #50

Well, when you put it that way... renie408 Nov 2013 #58

I agree, Magical Thyme, let's see how many are willing to take him in their home. Thinkingabout Nov 2013 #53

In this case there is no chance of executing the wrong criminal. FarCenter Nov 2013 #31

Seriously? The death penalty? For a 14 year old??? renie408 Nov 2013 #40

You are for the death penalty, so long as it is for the "right" criminal? uppityperson Nov 2013 #46

It never is. Not for a war criminal, not for a child molester, NuclearDem Nov 2013 #71

Sorry; I'll have to disagree, re: Nuremburg Trials (and Eichmann later). WinkyDink Nov 2013 #332

Well to each their own. NuclearDem Nov 2013 #339

Thankfully, society and the Supreme Court have evolved beyond your level. morningfog Nov 2013 #134

Not in the Bay State. We don't do executions. nt MADem Nov 2013 #150

LOL, so if we are "really really really super duper sure"...idiotic! nt Logical Nov 2013 #154

no RedCappedBandit Nov 2013 #356

He's a high school freshman. knitter4democracy Nov 2013 #54

Some people are born evil, it is not always learned behavior. Some people RKP5637 Nov 2013 #116

I've had a few scary students. knitter4democracy Nov 2013 #153

Thinking back to high school, for example, some students wore their scariness ... RKP5637 Nov 2013 #175

No one is born evil. morningfog Nov 2013 #261

Here is an interesting short article, for example ... RKP5637 Nov 2013 #264

Did you read the article? morningfog Nov 2013 #265

Yes, of course I read the article. What it says is there is a predisposition to behavior RKP5637 Nov 2013 #272

Triggered by environmental conditions and conditioning. morningfog Nov 2013 #294

It boils down to the old heredity versus environment RKP5637 Nov 2013 #311

Psychopaths might be. WinkyDink Nov 2013 #334

WTF does "evil" mean? He has a demon soul? Lucifer is his daddy? Spirits infest and control him? NoOneMan Nov 2013 #279

Please pick a better word. n/t RKP5637 Nov 2013 #281

The crime is horrific, but Vattel Nov 2013 #57

He alreay is charged as an adult. LisaL Nov 2013 #64

Is there any redemption for a kid capable of that? Deep13 Nov 2013 #77

I would not say "rabid" but that moment of hate is pretty nasty. nt JanMichael Nov 2013 #92

A bit more than a "moment"--and for a teacher who was trying to help him pass a test MADem Nov 2013 #151

Now, now, Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #170

His victim was just out of college, still burdened with loans, working at the job of her dreams, so MADem Nov 2013 #240

Thank you! smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #354

Jesus Christ! bunnies Nov 2013 #205

It gets worse. He attacked her wearing a hood, and masked his face MADem Nov 2013 #236

It's my opinion that the police stopped a serial killer in the making. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #239

I think so, too. The "ritual staging of the body" and the taking of personal MADem Nov 2013 #241

This crime was absolutely horrific. smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #284

I agree. This isn't a kid who beat an abusive parent, this is someone who viciously MADem Nov 2013 #286

I read that last night. bunnies Nov 2013 #312

he raped her corpse with a branch magical thyme Nov 2013 #314

Sick fucker. bunnies Nov 2013 #316

No. Zero. Yeah, he'll grow up to live in Suburbia with a wife, dog, and two kids. Riiiight. WinkyDink Nov 2013 #333

Considering the crime, this guy should be tried as an adult. Captain Stern Nov 2013 #78

What a mess, what a loss...I am speechless and saddened ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #84

Poor girl!!!! Beacool Nov 2013 #86

It saddens me that so many here see the justice system as about vengeance BainsBane Nov 2013 #95

This is very well stated BB... We need to have an "intermediate" step. ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #97

I think many see it as a system that should in part at least be about protecting people arely staircase Nov 2013 #343

Protecting society is paramount BainsBane Nov 2013 #344

Post removed Post removed Nov 2013 #98

Really? ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #99

Will be gone by daybreak. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #100

Give it 10 minutes or so BainsBane Nov 2013 #101

I just got done searching his/her posts because I swore they made me go "huh?" once before this week ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #102

gone BainsBane Nov 2013 #104

BOOM! NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #105

Did the deed myself. BainsBane Nov 2013 #106

You're the best BB! ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #109

Another notch! NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #110

Job well done MIRT... ScreamingMeemie Nov 2013 #107

Her death saddens me, and that a child of 14 could do it saddens me. Lex Nov 2013 #118

He is not fixable. Beausoir Nov 2013 #125

You have no way of knowing how "fixable" he is. morningfog Nov 2013 #135

He's not fixable. Beausoir Nov 2013 #136

You have no basis to make that statement. It is absolutely meaningless morningfog Nov 2013 #137

After he slashed her throat he wheeled her corpse outside and them he rammed a tree limb up her Beausoir Nov 2013 #305

Deary? Please. morningfog Nov 2013 #318

I beg to differ BainsBane Nov 2013 #138

LOL. What a load of bull. That monster is not fixable. He will be caged forever. Beausoir Nov 2013 #302

LOL, Wow, you based that on? nt Logical Nov 2013 #155

Okay, I grew up poor as in a slice of bread for supper sometimes. raging moderate Nov 2013 #145

Speaking as an academic librarian and teacher Iris Nov 2013 #157

I don't agree with trying minors as adults. It's a double standard. white_wolf Nov 2013 #146

Why are there age of consent laws and why is the age of consent almost always higher than 14? Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #160

There isn't a sudden point at which all points of morality and responsibility at once become clear muriel_volestrangler Nov 2013 #166

but all of those matters relates to impulse control. Enlightened society have understood for Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #168

how does impulse control figure into an act that was planned in advance? bettyellen Nov 2013 #293

one does not interpret the actions of a child the same way one interprets the actions of an adult Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #307

interpretation? seriously? this was a planned murder, not an impulsive manslaughter. magical thyme Nov 2013 #321

a murderer that happened to be a child. I simply don't agree with you that children can be held to Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #322

well the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (and many other states) don't agree with you magical thyme Nov 2013 #323

well this is completely out of step with almost every other western democracy on earth Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #324

Those are there based on the presumption that 14 year olds geek tragedy Nov 2013 #185

When I come across crimes that I cannot even begin to comprehend where the motivation is beyond my Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #194

This was a planned, premeditated act. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #197

Absolutely. HappyMe Nov 2013 #202

a fourteen year old is not an adult. Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #208

"all rational faculties would have told any thinking adult that there is a 100% chance that they geek tragedy Nov 2013 #223

those guys in supermax are not fourteen years old children - this chlld is Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #227

If there were a mechanism in place to confine if there's no rehabilitiation, that would be one thing geek tragedy Nov 2013 #232

Life with possibility of parole is probably what he should get. morningfog Nov 2013 #319

That sounds very reasonable. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #320

In Massachusetts, a conviction of first degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of Tanuki Nov 2013 #329

That is true, but the Supreme Court has ruled that a juvenile cannot be charged so as to be morningfog Nov 2013 #330

I'm in favor of trying him as an adult... Chan790 Nov 2013 #167

I'm in favor of trying him as an adult. HappyMe Nov 2013 #176

I agree. Puzzledtraveller Nov 2013 #201

I agree Locrian Nov 2013 #257

I would really like to see all evidence presented in this case. Such horrific crime idwiyo Nov 2013 #211

He's the only suspect, and his guilt is really not in question. geek tragedy Nov 2013 #238

He needs proper psychiatric assessment, done by at least two independent professionals. idwiyo Nov 2013 #270

by planning the details, then staging her body and leaving a note, he showed he was likely bettyellen Nov 2013 #271

Doing time in prison is not 'escaping responsibility'. I don't support vengeance based prison system. idwiyo Nov 2013 #290

you go cling to the fantasy that it is about vengeance, or that his lawyers will not blame everything bettyellen Nov 2013 #292

US legal system is vengence based, and it doesn't work. Also, are you replying to the right post? idwiyo Nov 2013 #297

yes, but it is all we have right now. doesn't mean that no one should go to jail, LOL. sorry. bettyellen Nov 2013 #299

Did anyone tell you this kid should go free? Where did you get that from? Not from my posts. idwiyo Nov 2013 #301

minors automatically go free at a certain age, unless they are confined to a psych hospital bettyellen Nov 2013 #303

There is no point discussing this topic with someone who beleives 14yo is an adult. Is there? idwiyo Nov 2013 #306

I did not see a single person say they think he is an adult. Link, please? bettyellen Nov 2013 #325

Lobby to change the law than, instead of arguing he is mature enough to treat as adult. idwiyo Nov 2013 #326

I don' have resourses for a new pet cause, but thank you. in the meantime, prosecters make bettyellen Nov 2013 #336

I repeat, no point discussing this topic with anyone who wants to treat 14yo as adult based on fear. idwiyo Nov 2013 #337

Oh please, you want to shame me a scaredy cat. LOL. It is entirely a public safety issue. bettyellen Nov 2013 #340

I repeat, no point discussing this topic with anyone who wants to treat 14yo as adult based on fear idwiyo Nov 2013 #341

nt every 14 year old, just the ones who plan snd commit brutal torture and murder. bettyellen Nov 2013 #345

He'll be assessed to pieces B2G Nov 2013 #274

If suspects were "likely" we'd stop them. WinkyDink Nov 2013 #335

'Likely suspect' means someone with previous history of violence and/or cruelty. idwiyo Nov 2013 #338

sometimes God does make junk FatBuddy Nov 2013 #237

Haha. Well but then again... Somehow I doubt he got a good upbringing. Quantess Nov 2013 #252

So does DNA, chemicals and conditioning NoOneMan Nov 2013 #280

the "object" he raped her with was the branch of a tree magical thyme Nov 2013 #300

Oh..but he is soooo fixable! Beausoir Nov 2013 #304

What a sick little fuck! smirkymonkey Nov 2013 #315

link to search warrant affidavit... magical thyme Nov 2013 #317

We're not talking B&E or auto theft here. HooptieWagon Nov 2013 #328