tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417577.post6759150545841169072..comments2008-11-24T12:20:08.415-07:00matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236787482565862733noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417577.post-61519963166070083542008-11-24T12:20:00.000-07:002008-11-24T12:20:00.000-07:00It looks like the only way an 8 year old could be tried as an adult under the Arizona Criminal Code is if he had a prior felony conviction (13-501(C)). If it's as clear as it looks from the statute, though, I'm not sure why the judge is even giving the prosecution a chance to make an argument. It could just be a political kabuki dance--the DA not wanting to look "soft" on a murderer, the judge willing to give the DA a little cover, with everyone knowing that the outcome (i.e., no trial as an adult) is preordained as a matter of law. Still, that's pretty goddamned slimy, since it puts a kid and his surviving family members through the wringer, unnecessarily delays trial, and undoubtedly racks up additional legal expenses for a family that may not be in a position to bear them. <BR/><BR/>If, for some bizarre reason, the judge allows the child to be tried as an adult, I would expect a very widespread outcry. You don't have to be a bleeding heart liberal to see that that's totally f-ed up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com