The Lost Boy

3. September 2009 by Rev Young.

It has taken me a little time to write after the presentation of Jonny’s story on Prime Time Crime.  It wasn’t that I was so impacted by what I saw because I have already seen the pictures, the video’s and I know the story…….all to well. 

But I know the Lost Soul, that Lost Boy that you were given a glimpse of on this television program.  I was the one who held and comforted that boy when he was crying in the interrogation room.  I was the one who promised that I would do everything in my power to get him a good attorney so that he didn’t have to take the fall for something he didn’t do………And I failed him.  Here we are almost 9 years later, fighting the good fight so that he can finally come home. 

You all heard him say that, “He couldn’t say…..He wasn’t there” when they asked him who killed all of those people.  You saw letters presented, written in the hand of another young man, admitting to killing all of those people.  You saw him declare that it never occurred to him that his friends would lie concerning his involvement and cost him his life.  Yet it has cost him. 

I have decided that my first blog after his story is going to be a warning to parents.  Please pay attention.  Your children’s future is at stake. 

In this case, 2 of the three boys were not read their MIRANDA rights when they were taken for questioning.  One boy was questioned at an earlier date without the knowledge or presence of another adult or parent.  THIS IS ILLEGAL.

As parents, our job is to teach and train our children to tell the truth and to be forthright concerning all things.  THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE WHEN DEALING WITH ISSUES OF THE LAW.  Any time your child is to be questioned by anyone in law enforcement, DEMAND AN ATTORNEY.  In my sons case, his charges were based solely on the confession of a troubled child.  In this country, that is all you need and you can loose your freedom.  Please hear me!  It is the truth!

We have laws on the books in this country that can take your freedom even if you committed no crime.  If you take your friend to the Cheesecake Factory and drop them off, they rob the restaurant and, in the process someone dies, you can be charged with conspiracy to commit or felony murder.  All your friend has to do is agree to plea to lessor charges in exchange for stating that you knew they were going to rob the store.  Your life is gone, solely on the statement of one person.  There does not have to be any evidence.  Please hear me in this!

False Confessions Happen Everyday because District Attorney’s offer plea agreements to lessor charges and those statements do not have to be confirmed by evidence.

My son was charged in a very violent case yet they never searched my house or my sons room to see what was there.  They never investigated who my son was, who his family was or what his future could be.  They simply decided, within 24 hours, to take this kid and charge him as an adult.  This decision about the future of your child is put in the hands of one person……the District Attorney!  Your children are not protected, they do not receive a transfer hearing, parents are not allowed to be present when the decision is made and speak on their child’s behalf.  They are sent to county jail, to be held in solitary confinement, while the investigation BEGINS and the court process goes forth.  They are held in adult jail facilities with adult inmates while their innocence or guilt is decided. 

Our juvenile justice laws are weak, ineffective and they do not protect our children.  The District Attorney’s have been given too much power and the result is horrendous.  There is a movement that is trying to change this.  Please join us.  Tomorrow it could be your child who is fighting for his life……..and loosing.

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