Alyssa Bustamante

[EMPEROR PRYCE]

Ok, i kinda feel strongly about this and another case in particular.

15 years of age is old enough to know the difference between life and death, and also to know what death brings to people surrounding the killer and the person who dies. Simply wanting to know how killing feels is not reason enough, she is blessed to have the possibility of parole (which she will more than likely get after 35-45 years). She had many avenues of "killing" to realize the feeling (Hunting, Fishing, maybe even going to the shooting range and practicing on paper targets, etc.) of it. Honestly, I believe the punishment wasnt harsh ENOUGH. If in my hands, she wouldn't have the possibility of parole. Sure, she is young, but that gives her the chance to grow up and take even more innocent lives (she said she loves the feeling) and that's not we need roaming around in our community. The death was done by the HANDS of Alyssa and she needs to be held accountable for her mistakes, no matter how immature and naive they are. Period. She will have her chance at redemption with the parole board, but even then she doesn't deserve that.

I understand your opinion about rehabilitation but do you seriously believe that she grew up NOT knowing the consequences of her actions? she was 15, she's heard PLENTY about people going to prison for life on murder charges, and she had to have known that was a possibility. although, her age more than likely prohibited her from understanding LIFE as a whole, she now knows. I'm positive she feels much stronger about her actions now way more then she ever did. Maybe if she were to undergo some sorta rehabilitation in prison (30-35 years minimal) and spend the rest of life on parole/probation as well as community service, I could MAYBE agree. As it stands right now though, I dont believe her sentence was harsh enough (take away parole possibility)

Anyway, for the other case i mentioned. They are called "the Elkhart 4" and they were my friends. A few years ago, 5 kids (ages 16-20) decided to break into a homeowners property in attempt to burglarize the home. Not realizing anyone was in there, they began to rummage the house for goods. The homeowner woke up with a pistol and shot at the kids, injuring one and killing another. The 4 survivors were sentenced 50-60 years on counts of MURDER (for their friend being killed) Do i believe this is far? Not in the least. Sure, someone must be held responsible for the death of the kid, but people kill others drunk driving all the time and never see 10 years. I just dont understand. They didnt kill him, so why be held responsible for it?

anyway, sorry to deviate from the main topic. just my 2 cents.

 

[Juggs]

She was 15 when she murdered a 9 year old child, giving her jail time will never be "too harsh", even if it's 25 to life.

There's only very specific reasons to take pity on murderers, this isn't one of those times, imo.

 

[Shaazzyam]

I completely disagree with charging minors as an adult, personally.

It's not just a social thing like "they're just kids". The brain doesn't fully develop to properly understand certain concepts until the adult years. A lot of times, child killers don't understand the gravity of death, the real comprehending of its permanence, and how it affects people. Our hatred towards what they've done clouds our judgment on the actuality of these circumstances. Pretty much every respectable psychologist, particularly child psychologists, agree that adult sentences are wrong. Being immature doesn't excuse the crime, of course, but charging someone as an adult equates a child's guilt with that of a 40 year old man who truly understands what he's doing when he kills.

IMO, she should have been sentenced until she's 18 with psychological care only to be released with evaluation. But her life shouldn't be taken away for something horrible she did as a child.

Generally yes. Recogninizing the severity of the crime is important, too. At some point you have to draw the line between "kids aren't adults" type leniency for crimes and premeditated remorseless murder of toddlers is where I do.

She'll probably get out on parole.

 

[Soul Bound X]

Generally yes. Recogninizing the severity of the crime is important, too. At some point you have to draw the line between "kids aren't adults" type leniency for crimes and premeditated remorseless murder of toddlers is where I do.

She'll probably get out on parole.

That doesn't make sense to me. That sounds illogical to me. Why does there have to be a line drawn? No matter what crime she committed, it doesn't make her an adult. No matter what she did, it doesn't make her an adult, and so she shouldn't be treated like one.

 

[Shaazzyam]

That doesn't make sense to me. That sounds illogical to me. Why does there have to be a line drawn? No matter what crime she committed, it doesn't make her an adult. No matter what she did, it doesn't make her an adult, and so she shouldn't be treated like one.[/quote

No matter what, huh? This kid was 15 years old but does that make what she did any less horrible?

Some kid plots to murder your 9 year-old daughter, strangles and cuts her, then later admits knowing it was wrong and says it was for funsies. But somehow that's OK because she's just learning? She still doesn't know what she's doing? If children are not given the full consequences of their crime, especially violent ones, are they really going to learn that it's wrong? What if the Aurora shooter was 17? He's a kid so he shouldn't be thrown in jail for life or executed for the mass murder he committed? What's so "logical" about that?


Why is it assumed that regardless of their actions as children, they'll definitely grow up to be normal, well adjusted adults? I don't necessarily believe all child murderers should be tried as adults as that defeats the purpose of making the distinction, but discretion in making exceptions is allowed for this very reason. The fact that she took pleasure from it. The fact that it was clearly premeditated. The fact that this was a stabbing/strangling.

 

[Soul Bound X]

No matter what, huh? This kid was 15 years old but does that make what she did any less horrible?

Some kid plots to murder your 9 year-old daughter, strangles and cuts her, then later admits knowing it was wrong and says it was for funsies. But somehow that's OK because she's just learning? She still doesn't know what she's doing? If children are not given the full consequences of their crime, especially violent ones, are they really going to learn that it's wrong? What if the Aurora shooter was 17? He's a kid so he shouldn't be thrown in jail for life or executed for the mass murder he committed? What's so "logical" about that?


Why is it assumed that regardless of their actions as children, they'll definitely grow up to be normal, well adjusted adults? I don't necessarily believe all child murderers should be tried as adults as that defeats the purpose of making the distinction, but discretion in making exceptions is allowed for this very reason. The fact that she took pleasure from it. The fact that it was clearly premeditated. The fact that this was a stabbing/strangling.

Well I think we should start by recognizing they aren't adults first and then go from there. We have to examine each case individually . On the case of Alyssa, I just don't feel like locking her up for life does anything productive. If released today, I seriously doubt she'd be a threat to anyone. She was very remorseful and gave a sincere apology for what she did . Some of these kids arent sorry and would do it again and they should stay locked up. It's different with each minor. But, no line should be drawn that says "well because this kids actions were more harmful than this kid's actions, he/she should be treated like an adult now" . No, we should recognize they aren't adults first and then judge them individually with that in mind, always. No matter what the crime

 

[rev0lver]

Some kid plots to murder your 9 year-old daughter, strangles and cuts her, then later admits knowing it was wrong and says it was for funsies. But somehow that's OK because she's just learning? She still doesn't know what she's doing? If children are not given the full consequences of their crime, especially violent ones, are they really going to learn that it's wrong?

You're seeing my exact point though. She can't just learn that it's wrong because she's going to be in prison for the rest of her life. Kids don't understand the consequences of their actions. It doesn't make the crime forgivable, but we shouldn't throw the books at them when they don't really understand what they're doing and what its effects are.

 

[Shaazzyam]

I'm not sure if we're on the same page. What exactly are we talking about? You said:

. Some of these kids arent sorry and would do it again and they should stay locked up. It's different with each minor.

Which is basically my point.

On the case of Alyssa, I just don't feel like locking her up for life does anything productive. If released today, I seriously doubt she'd be a threat to anyone. She was very remorseful and gave a sincere apology for what she did .

Sorry doesn't change the past.

But, no line should be drawn that says "well because this kids actions were more harmful than this kid's actions, he/she should be treated like an adult now" . No, we should recognize they aren't adults first and then judge them individually with that in mind, always. No matter what the crime

Right they're still a kid, but that only goes so far. When I was 15, I perfectly knew what would happen if I dug graves in order to strangle people and subsequently bury them. Shitty kids end up being shitty adults the majority of the time. Seriously, if a child, like an adult, knows and understands that murder is wrong, tell me why the difference in age matters? Impulse control? Then let's introduce legislation for more lenient sentences on alcoholics.

You're seeing my exact point though. She can't just learn that it's wrong because she's going to be in prison for the rest of her life. Kids don't understand the consequences of their actions. It doesn't make the crime forgivable, but we shouldn't throw the books at them when they don't really understand what they're doing and what its effects are.

This isn't arson, burglary, or assault - and in juvenile cases the best interest of the "children" and rehabilitation is the biggest concern, whereas justice and punishment is the concern of adults. The parents and society deserve justice for the victim under the law. Also, kids aren't immune to knowingly choosing bad choices. There's absolutely no way she didn't know what she were doing. If you can murder with all the tact of a serial-killer then you can receive the consequence of one. I'm like 75% sure she'll be released early on parole, anyway.

IMO, the problem here isn't "kids do the darnedest things", it's the problem with mental health in this country.

 

[Soul Bound X]

I'm not sure if we're on the same page. What exactly are we talking about? You said:
Which is basically my point.

Sorry doesn't change the past.

Right they're still a kid, but that only goes so far. When I was 15, I perfectly knew what would happen if I dug graves in order to strangle people and subsequently bury them. Shitty kids end up being shitty adults the majority of the time. Seriously, if a child, like an adult, knows and understands that murder is wrong, tell me why the difference in age matters? Impulse control? Then let's introduce legislation for more lenient sentences on alcoholics.

This isn't arson, burglary, or assault - and in juvenile cases the best interest of the "children" and rehabilitation is the biggest concern, whereas justice and punishment is the concern of adults. The parents and society deserve justice for the victim under the law. Also, kids aren't immune to knowingly choosing bad choices. There's absolutely no way she didn't know what she were doing. If you can murder with all the tact of a serial-killer then you can receive the consequence of one. I'm like 75% sure she'll be released early on parole, anyway.

IMO, the problem here isn't "kids do the darnedest things", it's the problem with mental health in this country.

Ah. I mean, we just see things differently. I just don't think someone who isn't an adult should be treated like one. Because they aren't one. They have maturing to do and so during this time rehabilitation should be the goal. They should get the help they need. And then they should be evaluated, and then released or kept locked up depending on the evaluation after the rehabilitation process. Yes, I know the family of the victim would love to see someone like Alyssa dead. They actually wanted her to get a death sentence. And what she did was terrible. And I'm sure everyone in that family wants her locked up forever and they'll never get their daughter back and that's HORRIBLE. And Alyssa is responsible. But I can't not know that Alyssa isn't an adult. I can't un-know it. It has to be taken into consideration (and also the fact that she was under the effects of drugs) no matter what the crime. Because she is NOT an adult. She's just not. So you shouldn't be able to treat her like one.