16 Year Old Kid Sentenced to Life in Prison, Justice?
This is an extremely old story, but since the case leaves very little to happen in a teenager’s case and I was instantly appalled at the state of “justice” that was served, I still believe it is newsworthy.
Antonio Nunez of Santa Ana, California was arrested when he was just 14 years old on April 25, 2001. The reason for Nunez’s arrest was for kidnapping a Santa Ana businessman and shooting at police with an AK-47–No one was hurt. On June 14, 2003, a [then] 16 year old Nunez was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. In addition to a sentence that outright states that this teenage boy will be in prison for the rest of his life, he was also sentenced to four additional life terms and 121 years on top of that for being found guilty in six counts of attempted murder of a police officer, assault, evading, street terrorism and committing crimes for the benefit of a street.
While these crimes are indeed very harsh crimes, they are also adult crimes. They are crimes that are typically committed by adults and when we see teenagers involved in such violence, isn’t there a thought that goes through a judge’s head that says “Hey, wait a minute here, this kid must be troubled; he obviously needs help?”
The justice in this case is served when someone feels and knows that something is not right with a child who is committing such harsh crimes and reaches out and protects them and makes sure that they receive the help that they (obviously) so desperately need. No teenage boy belongs in a prison full of adults, full of people who are in most cases, more dangerous than him. Sure, you could say that a 14 year old child should know better, but that is not a case of personal judgment at that age, it is a case of parenting, or obviously lack thereof. In a case where absolutely no one was killed, or even injured, what warrants a 16 year old to receive two life sentences in prison plus 121 years with absolutely no chance of parole in the rest of his incredibly long life?
I believe that the reason Nunez received such a sentence is because the person in which he was shooting at was a police officer and I believe that is the only reason. When someone is given a badge, they automatically move up in status and become superior than any other every day person Nunez could have been targeting at the time; but because it was a police officer, he received double life sentences with 121 years added on top of it and that is not justice.
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Regardless of age, he is still a danger to society. I think he should be behind bars. However, I do agree that 2 life sentences is a bit harsh and unnecessary. It’s not fair that he got more time just because it was a police officer.
I absolutely agree and this is precisely why I want to work in the Juvenile division of the state’s attorney’s office so I can actually do some good for this troubled kids.
While I don’t discount the severity of his crimes, sending him to prison for life is not helping him at all.
I couldn’t agree more. I think that a 14 year old can be helped and reformed. The choices a child makes should not have to end their entire lives. I don’t think he should just be let off. I think some attempt should be make to turn his life around. That way everyone benefits.
I don’t have anything new to add regarding the sentence: I think it’s appalling that a 14-year-old boy would be given sentenced to prison for that duration for what he did.
One thing that I have to point out is the comment on parenting, though. While I agree that this action could very well have been a result of a lack of good parenting, I feel that when people immediately blame the parents, it’s unfair. While parenting certainly plays a role in the development of children, there are also other factors to be taken into consideration. For example, if Nunez was indeed troubled, perhaps there was a lack of services in the area to help his guardians deal with his issues. Or, perhaps his family lives in poverty and, as a result, simply don’t have the time to care adequately for him as they try to bring in enough income. Again, I don’t want to discount the fact that parental roles do play a role, but I feel they’re not the only factor.
Anyway, on a complete tangent, I love how the site looks! Keep up the good work.
There is this kid in my neighborhood who is, yeah I’d say 14, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did something like that. He doesn’t seem troubled, possibly bad parenting yes, but I believe people are how they are, not how they are raised to be (this is a pretty debatable argument though), but anyway he just thinks his a little thug. So with this kid I know in mind I don’t feel too bad for Nunez…BUT, a life sentence IS ridiculous, ESPECIALLY if no one was killed.
I agree, I hate how police officers are such a big goddamn deal. Yes they help, and all that, but a lot of times they just abuse their power.
<3 Lauren
Sorry for the double post, but in response to your comment to my site, yeah I tend to not go too deep into person thigns on my site. It’s just not the place for that. Also I lik how your blogs are informative, and the name of your site is great *grin*
<3 Lauren
I completely agree. He’s only getting the book thrown at hime because he shot at a police officer, and he’s being charged as an adult, when he’s just a kid. Shame on the justice system.
I think the child should not be put into the jail..Instead he should be in a reform center.Where he can be guided and took care of.
He is a danger to society theres no doubt about that, but life? Thats harsh. He needs to be helped more than anything.
I can’t agree a 14 years old child can be reintegrate in the society and reformated, because what does he needs than help?
I think that Justice is a word that is too often thrown around. It is not justice to send a child to prison for something that inadvertently wasn’t his fault. He has many years ahead of him and i hope that he finds something to make the years pass more quickly.
My question is why such hostility towards this business man and where did he get such a weapon at? That needs to be the first need to know facts since no one got hurt. Then the results of the facts should be determined on sentecing and outcome. Also checking out his background and I mean his personality as well. Was he simply just robbing him for himself or another? Did anyone assume that this business man could be a pedophile? I do not know anything about this case but I would have been getting to the bottom of it if I were in charge before in front of a judge or jury. In saying that this is actually the first time I have read about this case. So please do not turn my questions into aligations or rumors so to speek. Just wondering.
I honestly believe that there is help for him despite the events that occurred. Multiple life sentences isn’t the solution for reform for this young individual. Just my 2 cents.
I really think, that is very low for them!!
He might be dangerous person for the society but we should also consider his age factor that was only 16. I think the judge has made a mistake of giving life time imprisonment without bail. Instead he should have been sent to any child prison and make him to avoid such kind of crimes on future.