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Texas tough on violent youths
May 17, 1998
Web posted at: 4:50 p.m. EDT (2050 GMT)BRAZORIA, Texas (CNN) -- Motivated by a series of tragic crimes, all allegedly committed by young teens, lawmakers in 35 states are cracking down on youthful offenders. Texas may be leading the pack.
The most recent incidents to spur a get-tough-on-crime stance: deadly shootings at schools in Paducah, Kentucky; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
In Texas, a state with a reputation for low tolerance when it comes to violent offenders, more and more convicted teens are doing hard time in adult prisons.
Tim Duncan was 14 when he stabbed and mutilated a 13-year-old girl after watching the movie, "Natural Born Killers."
Prosecutors painted Duncan as a cold psychopath. The judge sentenced him to 40 years. And while a convicted delinquent in Texas could be eligible for parole at age 18, Duncan got sent to an adult prison to serve his full term.
Duncan "I didn't know the consequences too much," he told CNN. "I mean I knew I'd get arrested and go to jail, but I didn't know anything else."
Texas plans to get even tougher on teen criminals. Next year, the legislature will debate a measure that would allow the state to execute 11-year-olds convicted of murder.
Officials in Texas say their message is being heard. In Houston, the juvenile murder rate is down 40 percent, said Andy Kahan, who runs the city's Crime Victims' assistance program.
"I mean the word is out right now to juveniles [that] you can no longer get away with what you used to be able to get away with ... you're no longer going to get a slap on the wrist," Kahan said.
The state's zero-tolerance message spread quickly. Only three years ago, lawmakers amended the law to allow youthful offenders sentenced as adults to serve their time in adult prisons.
Correspondent Charles Zewe contributed to this report.
Message board:
Related stories:
- Thousands attend funeral for slain teacher - April 28, 1998
- Violent crime rising at U.S. schools - April 12, 1998
- Accused Arkansas shooter's mom: He didn't mean to hurt anyone - April 5, 1998
Related sites:
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- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- National Center for Education Statistics
- National Alliance for Safe Schools
- Gun-free Schools Act of 1994
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