James Bulger Murder? I’m Confused and Disturbed?

Question by litk59: James Bulger Murder? I’m confused and disturbed?
This is honestly the most disturbing thing I have ever read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_James_Bulger

The fact that two 10 year old boys did such an evil and cruel act is the most disturbing part of this story IMO. I think their sentence was a joke. 8 years in a “secure facility” where thy get to live well and get new identities after release? That would never happen in the U.S.

A couple of years ago in the U.S., an 8 year old shot his father and his friend. The confession was unreliable. He probably wasn’t the initial shooter. Now, he’s getting an indefinite sentence at a residential treatment facility away from home, he won’t be able to leave at all until his fully rehabilitated, and he WON’T be getting a new ID. The murder was most likely not premeditated. However, some say it may have also been a reaction to abuse. Either way, a 10 year old or an 8 year old killing someone at all is messed up.

One thing that confuses me is that it seems like many people are against the idea of trying such young offenders as adults (With the 8 year old, very few wanted him tried as an adult), But, with this case, it seems like an exception is being made and everyone wants them at the fullest extent (life without parole or death).

I have mixed feelings about that decision. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am NOT condoning their actions in any way, shape, or form, but they were children themselves when they committed the crime. Also, your brain does not stop developing until your early 20s, which leads me to believe that they were rehabilitatable. I also cannot imagine seeing 11 year olds being executed. However, when I was 9, I knew that murder was pure evil and something I should never think about doing, and If I murdered anyone, I knew that I would deserve death. Basically, I could fathom the death penalty at age 9. Also, this question popped into my head, “If you didn’t give someone a chance to live, then why should you get one?” That contradicts rehabilitation. That leaves me confused. But then again, there are plenty of adults who murdered, got rehabilitated and continued to live a crime-free life.

Personally, I think they were rehabitatable (Mary Bell was also 10 and she murdered TWO toddlers, but she was INCARCERATED for 12 years, and she went on to have a crime-free life), but they should have gotten a much harsher sentence. Also, I think their parents are partly responsible for this. The boys were actually getting into trouble and torturing animals before the murder, and the parents did nothing to stop it. I think James’ death was 100% preventable.

The thing that confuses me is that with the 8 year old, most people wanted him to get psychiatric help, but not in this case. Maybe there’s something I’m not understanding or missing?
EDIT: IMO, I think they should have gotten 15 to life in an insane asylum, and have them transfer to prison if they could not be rehabilitated and/or tuen 18.
I’m not saying their victims… However, I can’t fathom the pain James Bulger’s mother feels. If a child were to kill someone I loved, I’d be more heartbroken than if it was an adult. I’m just confused by the fact that many people don’t like the idea of trying children as adults, but in this case, it’s the opposite, there’s just something I must not be grasping.
Also, I am a Christian, but maybe I’m taking this the wrong way? Jesus said that the only unforgiveable sin was the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Maybe I’m still missing something…

Best answer:

Answer by L e e
Well this happen end around 15 years ago did you just find out? lol

It is sketchy subject. If you are offering help and all this stuff you seem to be painting the guys as victims when they killed an innocent kid in a horrible way.

I think at young age i done many stupid things but this is one where it is almost unforgiveable they planned it out and tried to do it before also. I think that both of them should never have been let out again.

Now this guy is downloading child porn and smoking cocaine after getting out…

Think how the mother of the lil kid who died feels. Not only did the two guys get playstations and all this in their unit they got out still pretty young and free to walk around england with different identities and possibly do it again if they so pleased.

Of course the parents fault mostly how you are raised or your childhood stuff influences everything and their own childhood became mixed with adult type crimes due to most likely terrible parents. But they still did something so horrific that they must take enough of the blame.

Edit – Well when they commit crimes like this. They have to get a suitable punishment if they got that and then made progress to becoming better people or away from any ills maybe it’d be possible for some to forgive them if they really knew and felt they should take back what they did. I’m not sure that anyone is born evil and giving up on someone seems wrong but what do you do? Some things or people are really too effed up to transform.

People wanted them tried as adults simply so they’d get harshes punishments and for something like this thats what everyone wanted. For low scale stuff you don’t want kids tried as adults as we are fully aware of the whole picture at a younger age.

Answer by Edaphos
There are many disturbing elements to this story. The most disturbing fact is that there really isn’t much that can be done about it.

However, as long as these kids are alive, the story won’t end. Sometimes, the simple solution is the best solution. Just let the public know the identities and addresses of these bastards and their parents. Someone is sure to end the story once and for all.

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Tags: residential treatment, residential treatment facility, the holy spirit, james bulger murder