Utah Teen Will Not Face Death Penalty for Aggravated Murder

While he is likely to be tried as an adult, a Utah teen charged with aggravated murder will not face the death penalty.

Lured into the night

Just before midnight on July 17, after trying the homes of a couple other girls in the neighborhood, a 15 year old Utah boy (unnamed due to his age) knocked on the door where 12 year old Kailey Vijil lived. He asked Vijil if she would help him find his lost cat and then lured her into a field and strangled her to death. Because he had been spotted earlier trying to lure other girls out of their homes, the suspect was quickly detained and later charged with aggravated murder.

Charged and sentenced as adult

Because of how serious this crime was, the boy will likely be charged as an adult for aggravated murder. Regardless of the offense, the death penalty is never an option for juveniles who are under the age of 18. Many oppose this, arguing that if juveniles are charged as adults they should be punished as such.

Too young for the death penalty

Regarding the death penalty for juveniles, the Supreme Court decided in 2005 (Roper v. Simmons) that “When a juvenile offender commits a heinous crime, the State can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the State cannot extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity.”

A good defense and counseling equals a future

The Supreme Court realized that although kids can perform grave crimes, they are not mature yet and should still have opportunity to grow up. For parents who have a teen facing serious charges such as aggravated murder, contact a criminal defense attorney and seek professional counseling. By receiving help young versus the death penalty, the teen be punished fairy for their mistakes but have a chance in the future to become a positive citizen of society.