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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this isn’t murder

271 replies

AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:30

AIBU to think this is really wrong. In America four teenagers break into a house , the home owner fires a gun and one teenager dies. The boys age 17 are charged with murder and sentenced to 55 years in prison.
The judge said done one has to be held responsible but surely the teen who is dead is responsible for his own actions.

OP posts:
Santaiscovidfree · 13/01/2021 21:31

Guilty by association... Presumably they knew the law of their own land...

Screwcorona · 13/01/2021 21:33

That's the law. I personally think some of the US laws are too harsh and unfair but it doesnt change it. What a sad waste of all their lives

Original poster
AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:33

But there was no murder . It’s not like they went into a home and one of them shot the home owner that I could understand.

OP posts:
Original poster
AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:35

It’s a a very sad life of children’s life. I do think there should be consequences, but that does not fit the crime of juveniles breaking and entering.

OP posts:
Meredithgrey1 · 13/01/2021 21:35

Depends on your laws. I’ve just had a quick google and found what I assume is the case you’re talking about (if not it’s very similar) and that says something along the lines of, they are charged with felony murder because the law in Illinois holds those carrying out a felony (the burglary) responsible for any foreseeable deaths that occur as a result of the felony.

BertieBotts · 13/01/2021 21:35

Wait what? The teenagers were charged with murder? Not the homeowner who actually shot the gun?

addictedtotheflats · 13/01/2021 21:36

Thats the law in US, if you break in to a home as a group and one of the assailants dies because the homeowner was defending himself/his home the other assailants are responsible for the death as they were part of the crim commited. I watch far too much american cime TV 🙈

addictedtotheflats · 13/01/2021 21:36

I cant spell either *crime

LimitIsUp · 13/01/2021 21:37

Wow - that doesn't sit well with me. Personally think the home owner should be investigated for manslaughter (unless the teens were tooled up?)

LimitIsUp · 13/01/2021 21:38

@addictedtotheflats

Thats the law in US, if you break in to a home as a group and one of the assailants dies because the homeowner was defending himself/his home the other assailants are responsible for the death as they were part of the crim commited. I watch far too much american cime TV 🙈
It's a strange culture
Wtfdidwedo · 13/01/2021 21:39

theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/26/felony-murder-teenager-55-years-jail-indiana

"Some 46 states in the union have some form of felony murder rule on their statute books. Of those, 11 states unambiguously allow for individuals who commit a felony that ends in a death to be charged with murder even when they were the victims, rather than the agents, of the killing.

In Indiana the wording of the felony murder law is more nuanced than those of the other 11 states. It says that a “person who kills another human being while committing or attempting to commit … burglary … commits murder, a felony.”

addictedtotheflats · 13/01/2021 21:40

Its a harsh punishment but I can kind of see the logic

marchez · 13/01/2021 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:40

@BertieBotts yes the homeowner was told his actions were justified but someone “had to pay the price” so the teenagers were charged. Am watching “kids behind bars” interesting but some sad stories.

OP posts:
Wtfdidwedo · 13/01/2021 21:41

US prosecutors may use a felony murder charge to get the rioters at the Capitol last week after a police officer was killed.

marchez · 13/01/2021 21:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoRhona · 13/01/2021 21:42

It's supposed to stop this sort of thing happening and it's a great shame it doesn't. We now have traumatised teens who are going to spend their natural life institutionalised and a traumatised homeowner who has killed someone.

Dreadful outcome all round.

marchez · 13/01/2021 21:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 13/01/2021 21:42

@addictedtotheflats

Its a harsh punishment but I can kind of see the logic
Me too. Surprisingly.
LimitIsUp · 13/01/2021 21:42

@marchez

There was a case in the US where someone lent someone else their car. The car was then used in a crime (forget which one) but the owner of the car was also charged and sentenced as they lent the car out.
Insane! Quite glad to live in the UK
Uhhuhoyaye · 13/01/2021 21:42

America has very a uncivilised criminal legal system.

Original poster
AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:42

@Meredithgrey1 it was in Indiana , I do understand joint enterprise but this particular case makes no sense to me.

OP posts:
CoRhona · 13/01/2021 21:42

PS op are you saying the homeowner should have been charged?

Original poster
AldiAisleofCrap · 13/01/2021 21:45

@CoRhona no I don’t think the home owner should have been charged if he genuinely thought his life was a risk. I just think the teens should have been charged with home invasion not murder.

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 13/01/2021 21:47

We're his actions even investigated though?

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