Boy, 10, Charged as Adult in Death of Woman, 90

[FarrenH]

40. There are actual biological differences

in the decision-making equipment of adults and teens/children. In a ten year old boy, myelination is still happening in the brain, which means the circuitry isn't completely shielded from short-circuits. And a bunch of other stuff is happening that is not happening in an adult brain. A child's brain does not have the decision-making abilities of an adult although obviously it can be influenced by punishment and reward. This kid needs to be both punished and counseled, but not in the same way as an adult. I hope being charged as an adult doesn't lead to being punished as an adult.

It's tragic that a woman has died, but 10-year-olds are not entirely responsible for their own behaviour. I imagine many, many children are capable killing of someone in a fit of rage, but generally lack the means to do so.