>> How the hell could they classify this as a murder, i.e. intentional
>> killing ? It is evident that he was imitating wrestling and did not
>> intend to kill.
>
>But even if it was an intentional killing, he was 12 years old when he did
>it. It's barbaric to lock someone up for life because of something, even
>very bad, done when he was 12. --jks
mandatory sentencing in florida. the judge also seems to be pissed that the mother and defense had the audacity to turn down a plea bargain. he seems to be punishing them for not taking it and hoping that the court trial would determine that the kid hadn't intended to kill the girl, etc. he's also punishing the defense for acknowledging that they'd planned to mount a public relations campaign from the beginning.
http://www.miami.com/herald/content/news/local/broward/digdocs/081772.htm