Teen prostitute, 16, kills pimp who raped her -- gets life in prison

The Supreme Court is going to tackle an issue we've discussed a lot here: Should teenagers be sentenced to life without parole? We're one of the few countries that will sentence underage convicts like this. Activists point to the case of Sara Kruzan, who was allegedly raped by a man who turned around and pimped her for three years. She was tried as an adult and, because the judge considered the killing well-thought-out, sentenced to life without parole.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Tim P!

Comments

[REALLY!?!]

Sounds like she deserves a medal.

[Obama is the Man]

You do the crime.. you do the time... No exceptions...

Teenagers are capable of making decisions of "right and wrong" and should be held accountable for their actions.

[Man in a Mission]

I don't agree with the killing, but I understand it. After years of rape and forced prostitution, with the physical and emotional violence, manipulation, and control this girl may very well have thought that this was the only way to escape the predation of this dirtbag.

I would guess the Supreme Court will send this back for resentencing, but I would bet that it would on the grounds that it is similar to 'battered woman syndrome' than because of her age.

I am of mixed opinion on the use of life without parole for those under 18. On the one hand, it sometimes seems excessive, but there are those extreme cases where it seems like the only appropriate punishment as well.

[Jellybean]

Her "crime" sounds more just than her punishment.

[Searching]

I know what you mean on the exceptions. On this blog we have had tons of stories of some teens.. that are just plain ...broken. (for lack of a better term)
But who gets to decide and what would the guidelines be.

We cant go solely on things like number of past convictions. Unless you want to pigeonhole on past violent convictions.

And if they do a long time in jail as a teen, what good will they be when they come back? Since all true social growth would be stunted, while in the pen, what special needs would need to be met for them if they are tagged as one day they will be released.

[AJ]

I know someone who went to prison at a fairly young age, now she does not know how to function in society and just winds back up in prison, been this way for 20 years!!! Did she deserve to be in prison that young, yes...but there needs to be better therapy for them so they do learn to function and not wind back up in and out of the system their entire life.

[aqua]

AJ, has she tried breast massage therapy yet?

[Jellybean]

"He deserved it" ought to be a defense for assault and murder. Heck, they attempt to use it in rape cases by saying the rapie was dressed sexy, or is slutty anyway etc... Why not in murder cases where the victim is not so really victimish?

[Unbelievable]

The whole age thing is pretty muddled, there seems to be exceptions for just about anything, and no real clarity.

Can't condone the out right murder of someone like this, but I can't blame her either for wanting to get out of it. Prison time, yes.. for life no.

[quixotic]

If life in prison is warranted, because even a pimp's life is precious, should there be opportunities for more constructive activities within the penal system for those who are willing and able to undertake them? Why waste another life?

[parkay]

For this underage whore to be convicted of murder, the pimp selling children to perverts would first have to be acknowledged as a man, a human being.
The murder case should be dismissed for lack of evidence.

[Pat-a-matic]

Start with life, then deduct for all the wicked, evil crap the pimp did to her.

Also deduct for the projected amount of evil he might do to others, then see whats left for her to serve.

I suck at math, so someone else will have to figure out exactly how long she should serve.

[cripjak]

Voluntary manslaughter under duress at best.

[D-man]

Pat, I think she would be in the same boat as the guy held by JoCo for 25 extra days or so.

[Pat-a-matic]

D-man: are you referring to the lawyers boy that hit that kid last year?

[KC Cicero]

The reason that civilized nations do not allow this is because the part of the brain that governs judgment is not fully deleloped until @20-21. (That is why 18 year olds made the best draftees -- full grown bodies without independent judgment!)

LWOP is dumb in most circumstances, but in reference to teens, it is rationally indefensible.

[Moral City USA]

The motive does not excuse the crime. If we start making allowances for the reasons for murder, when and where does it end? There is no excuse for a capital crime.

Exceptions to the Constitution are similar in the legal field. We do it and it has many unintended consequences. First we allowed DUI checkpoints for drunk drivers. Now there are check points every weekend and half the arrests are non-DUI related. Police realized it was something to exploit.

My thought, on this case, is that gender is probably the real reason for leniency. Women routinely get much shorter sentences for the same crimes as men.....another exception to the Constitution.

[genial Khan]

"civilized nations" - please define

[Tom K]

There is such a thing as justifiable homicide and I think that prolonged abuse is a justification.

[Joyce777]

I personally would kill ANY MAN that raped me. I would just fix it differently!!!

Release the girl NOW!!!

[kyle hagan]

does anyone know how to contact this girl