Brandon+-+Adult+or+Juvenile+Court


 * The tragic murder of one junior high school student by another is thankfully a rare event, but just that did happen in Oxnard on February 12, 2008. Brandon McInerney took a gun to school and shot fellow eighth grader Larry King in the computer lab. __ Although the act seems “adult” in its seriousness and final consequences for the victim, the thinking of the perpetrator Brandon shows immaturity and so, in my humble opinion, a repressed rage of a 14-year old boy and so the case should be in juvenile, not adult, court. __ **
 * Body paragraph #1 – Thinking of Brandon (evidence of juvenile, adult crime) **


 * ** Body paragraph #2 – Should he get out at 25? Can Brandon be rehabilitated? Or is he so dangerous that he should be in prison for the rest of his life for the defense of the public? **
 * ** Body paragraph #3 – What is “just”? For Larry and his family? For Brandon and his family? What is the best place to get justice for Brandon and what he did? What should Brandon have as a sentence? **


 * Conclusion – (3-4 sentences; re-state thesis) **


 * In this country we look to juries and judges to dispense justice for victims and perpetrators alike. It is a tricky business; it is hard (impossible?) to satisfy all parties. Too harsh in punishment? Not hard enough for victims’ families? What to do with Brandon McInerney? __ In my opinion, the best place to get justice in this case is to move it to juvenile court and allow the actions of a 14-year old to be examined in its proper context. __ **