Maryland Senate Introduces Bill to Block Minors From Being Charged as Adults

The Maryland state Senate SB 93 has been recently introduced, known as the Youth Equity & Safety Act. This is the latest attempt to so-called “justice reform” The bill would ban the charging of juvenile suspects younger than 18 years old as adults. The bill’s supporters claim that while younger offenders aren’t given the resources they require in adult prison, the juvenile court system gives them the opportunity. “less likely to re-offend.” They didn’t provide any evidence to support that claim. This is an extraordinary proposal at a time Baltimore has seen seven years with more murders than usual. Additionally, a large portion of the offenders when they can identify and arrest a suspect are minors who are recruited by gangs. Many of them are not old enough for middle school. (CBS News Baltimore)

Proposed Senate legislation aims to make big moves in juvenile justice reform and prevent Maryland youth from being tried as adults.

Before the hearing of Senate Bill 93 in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, advocates rallied behind the bill.

It’s about treating youth right and making sure they have the resources they need.

Alonzo Turnbey was the featured speaker at Thursday’s rally organized by supporters of the bill. He recalled the nearly thirty years spent in prison following his 1989 arrest as an adult aged 17-years-old. He didn’t get sent up for a random drug or burglary charge, which was a detail that received little attention. He Gunned down Another teenager was also convicted of murder in cold blood. A 1994 appeal was made of the sentence. Deleted as being “without merit.” He claims he is “very remorseful” Over the killing and didn’t fully understand “all of the ramifications” Of the murder. Okay, then.

Many people have received heavy sentences in the past for drug crimes and lesser offenses. Turner-Bey is not the ideal person to be a model for sentencing reform. Baltimore’s ineffectiveness in reducing homicide rates is often blamed on its current liberal sentencing system.

Ironically, CBS News Baltimore published the story on the same day. This story was published online. In the wake of the horrific shooting at a suburban Baltimore high school, an arrest was finally made. It took place in the parking lot next to a shopping mall. Five students were killed and one more were injured in the attack. Unnamed 16-year old suspect was the victim.

In a high-profile murder case, a 16 year-old boy was taken into custody.

He was charged with first-degree killing.

Deanta Dorsey (age 16) was shot to death in the Shooting on Jan. 4, in the parking garage Of the Edmondson Village Shopping Center. Two males aged 17 and two males 18 years old were both injured.

The 16-year-old victim had an accomplice that has not been identified. Deanta Dorsey (16 years old) was also a victim of the murder. eighteen bullets in him. The victim was at school on that day. He had been out with friends during lunch. The shooter was not at school. He clearly had an illegal firearm in his possession, as he could not legally buy one at that time.

Do you think that the shooter sounds like someone who should go to juvenile court and be given some type of treatment? “monitoring” Programm while he is “rehabilitated?” They should have invited Deanta’s aunt/guardian if they wanted to include a speaker at the rally on Thursday. According to a CBS News reporter, she said that no one has reached out to her regarding the death of her nephew. “wants answers.”

So do we all, Ms. Dorsey. So do we all.

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