(Video) Should A Child Ever Get Life In Prison? 12 Yr Old To Be Tried As An Adult

Jacksonville : FL : USA | Jun 06, 2011 at 9:33 AM PDT

By VeronicaS

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June 6, 2011, Jacksonville, FL.]---------State Prosecutor Angela Corey will try 12-year-old Christian Fernandez as an adult for kilin his 2 year old brother David in his Jacksonville, Florida home on March 14.

Corey defended the decision to try Christian as an adult under the charge of 1st degreee murder by saying, "We have to protect the public from this young man...we have no other choice."

Christian has been indicted on first degree murder which carries a sentence of life in prison. His mother has also been charged with aggravated manslaughter in little David's beating death. Her two other children are in the care of the state.

According to First Course News, the 12 year old defendant beat his brother over the head, delivering 2 or more blows causing the toddler to bleed internally. He died two days after being hospitalized.

Christian is awaiting trial behind bars at the juvenile county jail, in a separate area to other inmates. At first, he was in the adult jail, cahrged with first degree murder.

But this case is not as black and white as it seems. Christian was allegedly abused by his stepfather who later committed suicide when he learned he was going to be arrested. His mother was a teen mother, who gave birth when she was also 12 and both grew up in foster care. Reports say she often left Christian to care for his baby brother and when the tragedy occured, he was alone with the baby. When the mother finally came home, she reportedly waited 6 hours before taking the toddler to the hospital.

What do you think: should a 12 year old be tried as an adult and given life in prison?

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12 yr old Christian Fernandez charged with 1st degree murder, to be tried as an adult

VeronicaS is based in New York City, New York, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 18

Posted By

Surya Gaire | almost 2 years ago

rated up for your effort in this news.

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

Thanks solarp for the rating and the visit.

Posted By

monkeytefl | almost 2 years ago

a 12-year-old should NEVER bw tried as an adult UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

Thanks for your comment....I agree...we cannot have it both ways. No matter how heinous the crime,we cannot apply adults laws to minors.

They cannot vote, participate in legislation, drive a vehicle, buy alcohol, work an 8 hr day, run a household, make decisions for the own lives, etc and are dependent on us. We cannot treat them as adults when we feel like it for they do not have the same rights.

Posted By

dunite | almost 2 years ago

i guess no matter how heinous the crime was committed he's still covered by law as juvenile thanks susievee^!

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

You're welcome--Thanks for participating...I tend to agree with you..as I said above in my comment, we cannot have it both ways.

Posted By

mshahzad80 | almost 2 years ago

Thank You For Your Report . And also Updated me With this Issue

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

You're welcome..feel free to find something else of mine to whet your literary palate. ((:

Posted By

Adrian Holman | almost 2 years ago

I disagree with everyone else because a 12 year old nowadays should be charged as an adult. Since these teenagers want to act like grown-ups, then they should pay the same consequences. For something as heinous as this, trying this murderer as a juvenile is absolutely senseless. Illinois does the same thing for knuckleheads in Chicago too.

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

Thanks for the visit----It's not about how heinous the crime...I think we can all agree on the brutality and horror of it--it's about the law. We are all entitled to it being applied fairly and as much as we hate the crime, a minor is a minor and we cannot selectively decide when they are adults and when they aren't.

Posted By

looniestlove | almost 2 years ago

this is such a tough pill to swallow...A twelve year old should also be in jail but must be separated to the other inmates, deep inside he is still a kid, we really do not know the real reason behind the said brutal murder. I think this is a very serious case, I guess it would be best if he would receive psychological therapy, to know the real reason behind the attack. I believe that he is just a misguided boy and with proper guidance he would be able to realize his mistakes...great report...rated up!

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

Thanks for the positive rating and insightful feedback.

I agree it is a tough pill to swallow. For one sibling to brutally murder the other who was just a little defenseless toddler is heart-wrenching. But we are a country of laws and the law says he is a minor and we have to deal with him accordingly.

Posted By

mrspleats | almost 2 years ago

Princess,

I do not think it should be life in prison but he should do some time. Adrian makes a good point re consequences . To brutally kill your own flesh and blood at such a young age tells me ,this kid is only twelve chronologically.

Where are the parents ,they should be tried too,there seems much rage and anger here. It is a sad sad and cruel world these days.

What happen to family love.

A crime is a crime is a crime. Thesekids are the ones who endanger other kids in school etc. I am not really feeling it for him.

Got to do his time.

Have a great day!

Reply By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

Thanks girlfriend for dropping by and leaving your positive rating and honest feedback...appreciate it. have a terrific Tuesday yourself!

Of course no one is saying just let him walk around free. He did a horrific thing to his little innocent brother and there has to be consequences but we still have to apply the law as it was meant to be applied.

We say at 12 yrs old you're a minor who cannot vote, drive, drink, work for 8 hours a day straight, have families, make decisions pertaining to your upbringing, education, health etc-- so as painful as this crime is, we cannot arbitrarily pick when they should be adults.

Incidentally his mother is being tried too but with a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Posted By

bigred9 | almost 2 years ago

He has the eyes of a hundred year old stone cold killer but he is still a minor and has to be treated under the law, as such.

Posted By

VeronicaS | almost 2 years ago

I agree red...as painful as it may be.

Posted By

Regis | about 1 year ago

C'est une honte et une injustice ! Un enfant reste un enfant surtout à 12 ans ! Vous ne connaissez pas la Convention internationale des droits de l'Enfant ?
Shame on you Ms Corey!

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

I agree Regis---this is wrong on so many levels.

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