A doctor has determined that one of the 2 12 year old
girls accused in the Milwaukee child-stabbing case is not mentally competent to
stand trial. For coverage by Dinesh
Ramde of the AP, read here: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/preteens-charged-stabbing-plot-court-24392818.
This is a horrid case, where two 12 year-old girls lured
a schoolmate to the woods after a sleepover.
One held her down while the other stabbed the victim 19 times. The attackers did this because they believe
an internet character – Slenderman – was real, lived close by, and they wanted
to prove themselves worthy to him.
Under
Wisconsin law, anyone who attempts or commits a murder and is over 10 is
charged as an adult.
One of the attorneys called for a mental health
evaluation for his child-client. And
yesterday, July 2, a doctor determined that she was incompetent to stand
trial. This is a good thing. If the doctor’s opinion is upheld, this child
will go to a mental health facility, suited for the juvenile and disturbed
mind, as opposed to a juvenile, and then adult, prison. (The other child’s case is still set to
proceed in adult court, instead of juvenile court).
Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel has stated
“If we put them through the juvenile system, we have them until they’re age 25.
And then we’re done”
This is true. The
other alternative is Mental Health treatment, in which case they would “have
them until they no longer pose a danger”.
Alternatively, they could be tried as adults, get 60 years, grow up for
prison, grow old in prison, and if lucky, be released at the age of 72.
This is an easy case for the prosecutors. The children committed the act. The children confessed. And what occurred was a travesty. But giving up on children is a travesty as
well. Raising children in prison for a
life in prison is barbaric. I have a
hard time believing that pre-teens are beyond redemption. The State of Milwaukee does not.
One year, District Attorney Brad Schimel will likely run
for office. When that time comes, please
remember this -- Brad Schimel wants some children in prison, forever.
These are children.
Please don’t give up on them.
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