FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 11/20/2009) Juvenile court is home to at least half a dozen children facing first degree murder charges.
These are teens charged in crimes just since the beginning of the month.
Vandalism and petty theft no longer dominate the crimes in some courtrooms at Shelby County Juvenile Court. On a trip to court yesterday, WREG's Stephanie Scurlock found a 13-year-old who reportedly stabbed her mother, a student charged with assaulting his Humes Middle School teacher and in one courtroom there were 3 teenage murder suspects all charged with first degree murder, they're not the only ones there.
Detention lock-up at Shelby County Juvenile Court is now home to a total of 6 teenagers charged with 1st degree murder. All are waiting to find out their fate and if they'll be charged alongside adults in criminal court.
"They act like adults when they did it, you know. These kids they act like they are so grown and they don't have any respect. You know that's the only way to stop it. You've got to put some fear in these kids, said Sharon Jordan, murder victim's step-mother.
Jordan's step son, Anthony, was shot and killed and left to die on a South Memphis sidewalk. Police arrested two 17 year olds for his murder. They are two of the defendants currently locked up at juvenile court.
Jordan said, "He was shot 5 times in the body and twice in the head. They say the one to his head is the one that took him out."
Also, in custody on murder charges, a 16-year-old girl for the murder of 10 month old child she was babysitting. A 15- year-old who allegedly shot a fellow Raleigh Egypt High School student on the walk home from school is charged with 1st degree murder. News Channel 3 has learned two 17-year-olds have also been arrested for the murder of a college student outside the Hollywood branch of the public library. District Attorney Bill Gibbons will seek to transfer most of them to adult criminal court.
Gibbons said, "If a juvenile is 16 years or older our policy is to seek a transfer of that juvenile to be tried as an adult."
Those teens who don't heed the warning could find out what growing up behind locked doors is like.
Gibbons said, "I don't like seeking to transfer a juvenile and be tried as an adult. It's not a pleasant thing. I'm going do it because I think it's in the public interest to do so. But my preference is for every juvenile in this community to make a good choice and not engage in violent crime."
Gibbons has a team of mentors going into schools to help children before they get on the wrong path but there is proof there is tough justice for those who don't listen.
News Channel 3 checked with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and 71 juveniles are awaiting trial as adults on serious charges right now. Of those defendants, 17 face murder charges.
- 6 juveniles are in custody facing first degree murder charges
- Victims say grown up crimes deserve grown up punishment
- District attorney will seek to try most as adults
(Memphis 11/20/2009) Juvenile court is home to at least half a dozen children facing first degree murder charges.
These are teens charged in crimes just since the beginning of the month.
Vandalism and petty theft no longer dominate the crimes in some courtrooms at Shelby County Juvenile Court. On a trip to court yesterday, WREG's Stephanie Scurlock found a 13-year-old who reportedly stabbed her mother, a student charged with assaulting his Humes Middle School teacher and in one courtroom there were 3 teenage murder suspects all charged with first degree murder, they're not the only ones there.
Detention lock-up at Shelby County Juvenile Court is now home to a total of 6 teenagers charged with 1st degree murder. All are waiting to find out their fate and if they'll be charged alongside adults in criminal court.
"They act like adults when they did it, you know. These kids they act like they are so grown and they don't have any respect. You know that's the only way to stop it. You've got to put some fear in these kids, said Sharon Jordan, murder victim's step-mother.
Jordan's step son, Anthony, was shot and killed and left to die on a South Memphis sidewalk. Police arrested two 17 year olds for his murder. They are two of the defendants currently locked up at juvenile court.
Jordan said, "He was shot 5 times in the body and twice in the head. They say the one to his head is the one that took him out."
Also, in custody on murder charges, a 16-year-old girl for the murder of 10 month old child she was babysitting. A 15- year-old who allegedly shot a fellow Raleigh Egypt High School student on the walk home from school is charged with 1st degree murder. News Channel 3 has learned two 17-year-olds have also been arrested for the murder of a college student outside the Hollywood branch of the public library. District Attorney Bill Gibbons will seek to transfer most of them to adult criminal court.
Gibbons said, "If a juvenile is 16 years or older our policy is to seek a transfer of that juvenile to be tried as an adult."
Those teens who don't heed the warning could find out what growing up behind locked doors is like.
Gibbons said, "I don't like seeking to transfer a juvenile and be tried as an adult. It's not a pleasant thing. I'm going do it because I think it's in the public interest to do so. But my preference is for every juvenile in this community to make a good choice and not engage in violent crime."
Gibbons has a team of mentors going into schools to help children before they get on the wrong path but there is proof there is tough justice for those who don't listen.
News Channel 3 checked with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and 71 juveniles are awaiting trial as adults on serious charges right now. Of those defendants, 17 face murder charges.
