The Lincoln Log

High school- one of the best years of our lives but its also the worst of years. At least it was for Darren Pratcher, who at 15 was facing a 50- year prison sentence for the death of his beat friend. The other day The Chronicle had a story about Pratcher, and it brought it a lot of questions. While I agree that this boy’s actions were horrific and inexcusable, I think the punishment is way too harsh.

Teenagers have always tried to act and behave older than their age, but does a boy’s play- acting justify an adult’s punishment? At the time of the conviction, the boy was only 15-years old. If in the United States an individual isn’t even considered an adult until the age of 18, or in some cases 21, why should a teenager who had no legal responsibilities be expected to accept the punishment that would be given to a legal adult? Is it fair that he be considered under age when it comes to privileges, but of age when it comes to consequences? No, it isn’t, which is why the boy should have not received a 50- year sentence for his offense.

Additionally, should the boy have to spend 50 years paying for an offense he committed in his teens? We are a country of second and third chances; the “three strikes” principle; therapy. Why should this one instance be dealt with by the hard-handed slamming of a gravel, when other cases are treated with empathy, sympathy, and understanding?

Pratcher should not have been sentenced to 50 years in prison. If anything, he should have been stuck in Juvenile Hall for the remainder of his days as a minor, than put on a probationary status for a few years, to prove himself. I find this ruling appalling. What’s next, the death sentence to a 10-year old? Pratcher’s family made an appeal to the judge to lessen the sentence time, but was rejected. Of course, it is disturbing how a 15-year old killed his friend, but this case has now set a precedent for others. This kind of shocking ruling will only become more common.