Current Events > Should this 13 year old who allegedly MURDERED TWO ADULTS be tried as an adult?

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://imgur.com/5ASZ8YC

This 13 year old individual, known as "Jericho W" has allegedly MURDERED TWO ADULTS. He recently escaped from custody but it should be noted that authorities recently captured him again. Should he be tried as an adult or as a juvenile? Here are some details (this article is from BEFORE he was found after his escape):

"The Robeson County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 13-year-old charged with TWO counts of first-degree murder who ESCAPED custody Tuesday.

The teen was in court around noon when he disappeared. He was wearing leg restraints without any shoes at the Robeson County Courthouse on N. Elm Street but still managed to escape. He was last seen in the intersection of Highway 72 and Country Club Road in Lumberton.

Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the escape happened when a DPS transport team took three juveniles from their facility to court. They were placed in a holding room together, and when a staffer opened the door, one escaped out of the facility and into a wooded area.

In addition to the two murder counts, he also had a charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon. Because he is a juvenile, the sheriff's office identified him only as Jericho W.

The Department of Public Safety said Jericho should be considered a threat to the public because of a "prior history of assaultive and unpredictable behavior."

Jericho, who is from Lumberton, was one of two people arrested October 17 for the double homicide, which happened October 15. He and Derrick Deshawn Hunt, 19, also of Lumberton were arrested at a home on Belyn Road in Rowland and charged in the deaths of brothers Frank and Adam Thomas.

Wilkins told ABC11 that deputies have suspended search operations for the evening.

Nikki Jacobs, Jericho's mother, told ABC11 that her son was always troubled and blamed the county for not helping her son all of the times she reached out for assistance.

"You're telling the social workers and the mental health workers and the social services that that's what your problem is and you're calling them every day. Then that's something that should've been done a long time ago," she said. "But they going to wait until he's charged with these other charges"

After the arrest, Wilkins said the deadly incident had a "drug component to it."

The sheriff's office described the escaped teen as about 5 feet tall, 110 pounds, with brown eyes and hair. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and beige pants."

SOURCE: https://abc11.com/13-year-old-double-murder-suspect-escapes-in-robeson-county/5673836/
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Without a doubt. Already commiting crimes at such a young age. Should be locked up forever before that thing does any more damage.

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"omg no! THEY'RE JUST KIDS!"

This kid is a real life Michael Myers in the making. If he's like this now at 13, imagine him 5 years from now when he's 18 (he might legit be doing a real life version of a "Grand Theft Auto: Mass Murder Rampage" if he's out free at that age. To hell with this, lock him up and don't ever let him out.

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.
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Nah just a kid let him be free

I wanna know how this kid escaped in the first place

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I feel like if he was 15 I'd support it, 13 to me still feels to young. Don't get me wrong he committed heinous crimes and I expect punishment.
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he should get life for sure
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Bloodychess posted...

I wanna know how this kid escaped in the first place

Apparently someone left a door open and he just shuffled on away.

I say shuffled because the kid had fucking leg restraints on and still managed to escape. smh
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ThePrinceFish posted...

Bloodychess posted...

I wanna know how this kid escaped in the first place

Apparently someone left a door open and he just shuffled on away.

I say shuffled because the kid had fucking leg restraints on and still managed to escape. smh

You have plenty of walking length to the chain on leg restraints. Could even maybe get a jogging pace going running in short steps. Source: I put a guy in full restraints today. Ive also been in full restraints in academy.
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SavageGlum100 posted...

This kid is a real life Michael Myers in the making. If he's like this now at 13, imagine him 5 years from now when he's 18 (he might legit be doing a real life version of a "Grand Theft Auto: Mass Murder Rampage" if he's out free at that age. To hell with this, lock him up and don't ever let him out.

^THIS.
I don't want this kid getting out because this kid is going to be getting a lot older and a lot bigger and a lot stronger in the next few years and I'm pretty damn certain he's just going to get a hell of a lot more violent and a lot more dangerous as he grows. I don't feel like being on the receiving end of a mass murder rampage 5 years from now from this kid when he legally becomes an adult and is running around gunning people down with some machine gun he gets illegally off of someone. Just lock him up permanently.
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OffTempo posted...

I feel like if he was 15 I'd support it, 13 to me still feels to young. Don't get me wrong he committed heinous crimes and I expect punishment.

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Any details on the actual murders?
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RedWhiteBlue posted...

The poll reuslts are quite telling. People are polarized in the U.S., glorifying violence (we all know what it is!) and shunning sex (dangerous and mysterious!)

"Sex under 18 is something kids don't understand, they don't realize what it entails and can't consent. Sex is bad and not an instinct."

"omg murderous freak knew exactly what he was doing and what it means, throw him in with the worst of society and throw away the key!"

People have no fucking idea what they're talking about.

Don't throw this kid into jail. Learn from him, figure this shit out, but putting a 13 year old in a guaranteed position to become a bitter, anti-social monster is not what we should be doing, it perpetuates problems.

I agree we deamonize sex too much but even i knew murder was one of if not the most horrendus thing you could do at 13. Different story if it was just a assault or fight that gotta out of hand that ended up in a death but if this was planned then yeah fuck him.
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mooreandrew58 posted...

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.

He never got the mental help he needed, even when his mother reached out
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.

He never got the mental help he needed, even when his mother reached out

I dont know the full story I admit. Either way though this kid needs to be detained. Where he gets sent/how he gets dealt with should be dependant on his mental status. Not saying you are saying/implying this but just cause someone has a loose screw doesnt give them a free pass.
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MelzezDoor posted...

"omg no! THEY'RE JUST KIDS!"

Hey now, who hasn't killed two complete strangers during their infancy with high-powered weapons?

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Yes.
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-Unowninator- posted...

Any details on the actual murders?

@-Unowninator-

I just found a very recent new article (this was written AFTER they got him again).
I'll bold the main details of the article:

"About 18 hours after he went missing, Jericho Werrell knocked on the door of his uncles home near Rowland, told him he was cold, needed something to eat and a shower, and when that was done, was on his way back into the custody of the state on charges that he helped kill two brothers.

Lawmen arent sure how Werrell made it from the woods off N.C. 72, near the Department of Social Services, to Wayne Lamberts home about 15 miles away, whether it was by foot, bike or a vehicle, but other details about the 13-year-old accused murderer are coming to light, including his full name.

The former student at Orrum Middle School has the same mother but a different father as Derrick Deshawn Hunt, who also is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths on Oct. 15 of brothers Frank Thomas, 34, and Adam Thomas, 33. The brothers were ambushed in their home at 131 Marigold Lane in what Sheriff Burnis Wilkins has implied was a drug-related crime.

Its unclear whether Werrell is facing additional charges for his escape. A spokesman for the N.C. Department of Public Safety said he could not comment. Werrell, who is about 5 feet tall and weighs 110 pounds, escaped from DPS officers about noon on Tuesday after a court hearing at the Department of Social Services. He sprinted out of the building barefooted after being able to free one of his legs from a restraint.

A manhunt followed, with as many as 40 officers searching the woods neared the abandoned central office for the public schools while two law enforcement helicopters circled above. But the trail apparently went cold at the edge of the Lumber River. The next day the search resumed with lawmen and rescue personnel in boats searching in and along the river. But its clear now that Werrell was long gone.

The story of an escaped 13-year-old charged in two murders made its rounds on national TV. His mother, Nikki Jacobs, made herself available for interviews, and complained that she was unable to get help for a son that The Robesonian has learned was in constant trouble with law enforcement.

On Wednesday, she went on her Facebook page and offered the following two comments.

The first, at about 2 p.m.: Man if yall see my baby hug him and let him know everythings gonna be alrite. He my baby either ways.

And about five hours later: Lord I ask you keep your hands on my baby Jericho Werrell. Only God knows how he is feeling. You family is here. We love you no matter what. Come home baby.

By then, however, it appears that Werrell already had made his way to the home of Lambert, whom he calls daddy. Lambert told WRAL the teen knocked on his door at about sunset.

Hes not a bad kid, Lambert told WRAL, adding that the teen begged not to be taken back to authorities.

Jacobs told WRAL that she is not sure how her son made it to Lamberts, saying it appeared he walked, and might have stopped on the way at his grandmothers abandoned home.

Its unclear what is next for Werrell. District Attorney Matt Scott did not want to comment on the case, but The Robesonian spoke with legal experts who said it would be up to Scott to determine if Werrell remains in the juvenile system, which means he could be freed in a few years even if convicted, or if he would head to adult court.

They said that decision could depend on what degree of culpability that Scott believes he had in the murders of the two brothers."

SOURCE: https://www.robesonian.com/news/128806/jericho-w-takes-long-walk-back-to-juvenile-detention-center
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Most definitively, he also escaped as well.

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I mean, "try him as an adult" or whatever but realistically just lock him up in a mental health facility. Kid shouldn't be getting the death penalty or anything like that.
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Hexenherz posted...

I mean, "try him as an adult" or whatever but realistically just lock him up in a mental health facility. Kid shouldn't be getting the death penalty or anything like that.

This. He's a danger to society, but clearly mentally ill.
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Based solely on the case before him, no. That would be inconsistent with presumption of innocence. The fact that his adult brother is also being charged is another point against charging the kid as an adult: the dynamics here were obviously not those of an equal adult partnership.

However, those are only the points against. It sounds like there may also be points for. He has indeed been in constant trouble with the law: he isn't a stranger to the concept of crime, or to violence. It sounds like he may very well have needed help, but at this point that's going to have to be for a court psychologist to decide, whether they try him as a child or as an adult. He also tried to escape, when the others held with him apparently did not: another indication that he knew what he did and how serious it was. Is thie compelling enough to override my points against? I don't know. But it could be. And so, I struggle.

I do think people are over-focused on the actual crime itself. Bringing that into the decision is uncomfortably close to prejudging the case. I'm also not sure it's necessary to reach a conclusion either way.
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I would say it depends on if he pulled the trigger.

The way the article phrased it as helping to commit the murders makes it sound as if he did not.

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EvenSpoonier posted...

Based solely on the case before him, no. That would be inconsistent with presumption of innocence. The fact that his adult brother is also being charged is another point against charging the kid as an adult: the dynamics here were obviously not those of an equal adult partnership.

However, those are only the points against. It sounds like there may also be points for. He has indeed been in constant trouble with the law: he isn't a stranger to the concept of crime, or to violence. It sounds like he may very well have needed help, but at this point that's going to have to be for a court psychologist to decide, whether they try him as a child or as an adult. He also tried to escape, when the others held with him apparently did not: another indication that he knew what he did and how serious it was. Is thie compelling enough to override my points against? I don't know. But it could be. And so, I struggle.

I do think people are over-focused on the actual crime itself. Bringing that into the decision is uncomfortably close to prejudging the case. I'm also not sure it's necessary to reach a conclusion either way.

This.
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Hell yeah.
Kids know what they're doing.

My ex girlfriend was murdered by at 15 year old several years ago and he was tried as an adult.

I have no sympathy for shit like this.
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EvenSpoonier posted...

Based solely on the case before him, no. That would be inconsistent with presumption of innocence. The fact that his adult brother is also being charged is another point against charging the kid as an adult: the dynamics here were obviously not those of an equal adult partnership.

However, those are only the points against. It sounds like there may also be points for. He has indeed been in constant trouble with the law: he isn't a stranger to the concept of crime, or to violence. It sounds like he may very well have needed help, but at this point that's going to have to be for a court psychologist to decide, whether they try him as a child or as an adult. He also tried to escape, when the others held with him apparently did not: another indication that he knew what he did and how serious it was. Is thie compelling enough to override my points against? I don't know. But it could be. And so, I struggle.

I do think people are over-focused on the actual crime itself. Bringing that into the decision is uncomfortably close to prejudging the case. I'm also not sure it's necessary to reach a conclusion either way.

I look at the situation in this way:
I have two older brothers only a few years older than me (similar to how this kid is 13 and his brother is 19). Even at age 13, if one of my older brothers said "Hey, let's invade the house belonging to these two guys with guns and let's SHOOT them / MURDER them so we can steal their drugs!!" I would know full damn well, even at age 13, that taking a gun and legit murdering two other individuals is a horrendous, evil thing to do and I should not do it... and this is coming from someone who had an older brother who did some horrible things to others.
This kid escaped even with shackles around his legs. That alone tells you he knows he fucked up and wanted to literally run away from his punishment.
This kid should get mental help, but he sure as hell should NOT be free before he turns 18 (which, according to the second article, is what will happen if he is tried and convicted as a juvenile... he will be free before he turns 18). As far as I'm concerned, he should be tried as an adult and stay in a mental health facility for the rest of his life and not be allowed out of it.

SavageGlum100 posted...

EvenSpoonier posted...

Based solely on the case before him, no. That would be inconsistent with presumption of innocence. The fact that his adult brother is also being charged is another point against charging the kid as an adult: the dynamics here were obviously not those of an equal adult partnership.

However, those are only the points against. It sounds like there may also be points for. He has indeed been in constant trouble with the law: he isn't a stranger to the concept of crime, or to violence. It sounds like he may very well have needed help, but at this point that's going to have to be for a court psychologist to decide, whether they try him as a child or as an adult. He also tried to escape, when the others held with him apparently did not: another indication that he knew what he did and how serious it was. Is thie compelling enough to override my points against? I don't know. But it could be. And so, I struggle.

I do think people are over-focused on the actual crime itself. Bringing that into the decision is uncomfortably close to prejudging the case. I'm also not sure it's necessary to reach a conclusion either way.

I look at the situation in this way:
I have two older brothers only a few years older than me (similar to how this kid is 13 and his brother is 19). Even at age 13, if one of my older brothers said "Hey, let's invade the house belonging to these two guys with guns and let's SHOOT them / MURDER them so we can steal their drugs!!" I would know full damn well, even at age 13, that taking a gun and legit murdering two other individuals is a horrendous, evil thing to do and I should not do it... and this is coming from someone who had an older brother who did some horrible things to others.
This kid escaped even with shackles around his legs. That alone tells you he knows he fucked up and wanted to literally run away from his punishment.
This kid should get mental help, but he sure as hell should NOT be free before he turns 18 (which, according to the second article, is what will happen if he is tried and convicted as a juvenile... he will be free before he turns 18). As far as I'm concerned, he should be tried as an adult and stay in a mental health facility for the rest of his life and not be allowed out of it.

Even at a young age, I had older siblings who wanted me to do stupid shit and even at 10 years old I would tell them I didn't want to do it and if they kept pressuring me I would just turn around and tell my mom. This 13 year old murderer knew what he was getting himself into. For crying out loud, he ambushed his victims. That's premeditated murder that was planned out in order for the ambush to be successful. Just lock him up (I don't care where, just don't let him out).
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On a side note, the dumb ass relatives of the kid were blaming the local authorities (and that local authorities should have to PAY for it) for the kid being in danger after the kid, with leg restraints on his legs, escaped from the local authorities and put himself in danger while he was trying to run from police. LMAO.... LMAO!!!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWUnDFZxLZg
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zzeennoolloo posted...

On a side note, the dumb ass relatives of the kid were blaming the local authorities (and that local authorities should have to PAY for it) for the kid being in danger after the kid, with leg restraints on his legs, escaped from the local authorities and put himself in danger while he was trying to run from police. LMAO.... LMAO!!!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWUnDFZxLZg

So what the fuck? Are the relatives going to try to sue local authorities and / or the county because the murderer temporary escaped custody and they felt their 13 year old murderer was in danger during that time? Can they even sue for something as bullshit like that?
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The_REAL_Duke_O posted...

zzeennoolloo posted...

On a side note, the dumb ass relatives of the kid were blaming the local authorities (and that local authorities should have to PAY for it) for the kid being in danger after the kid, with leg restraints on his legs, escaped from the local authorities and put himself in danger while he was trying to run from police. LMAO.... LMAO!!!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWUnDFZxLZg

So what the fuck? Are the relatives going to try to sue local authorities and / or the county because the murderer temporary escaped custody and they felt their 13 year old murderer was in danger during that time? Can they even sue for something as bullshit like that?

They can sue, but I'm pretty sure something like that will be thrown out of court. However, if hell freezes over and they sue and they are actually successful and win, expect a shit load of people to be rioting out of protest.
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andel posted...

he should get life for sure

Unfortunately, the SCOTUS decided that life sentences on minors no matter how dreadful their crimes is unconstitutional.

Might change since they accepted the DC Sniper case though, but the original ruling was fairly recent and the court is stubborn when it comes to overruling decisions, especially ones they themselves made while on the bench.
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Give him the death penalty.

mooreandrew58 posted...

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.

I simply don't get it. We should reduce the age to face "adult" court if everytime we are just gonna be like "13 year olds are capable of knowing right from wrong." We shouldn't be doing this exercise every time.
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DDirtyDastard posted...

Give him the death penalty.

Well, that would save a lot of tax payer money in the long run.

WarDog2016 posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.

I simply don't get it. We should reduce the age to face "adult" court if everytime we are just gonna be like "13 year olds are capable of knowing right from wrong." We shouldn't be doing this exercise every time.

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WarDog2016 posted...

WarDog2016 posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I understand giving kids a slap on the wrist for a lot of crimes but provided he has no major mental issues he should know how serious murder is even at his age.

I simply don't get it. We should reduce the age to face "adult" court if everytime we are just gonna be like "13 year olds are capable of knowing right from wrong." We shouldn't be doing this exercise every time.

Why did you quote yourself. Also im not scrolling through thia agaim but iirc I softened my stance a tad after some debate.
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