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" 123456aa needs a yank on their chain, it sounds like...

What in the world does your "PARENTS DO" shout even have to do with this topic???
Two kids car-jacked an INNOCENT adult with a gun they should NOT have been able to acquire in the first place... more likely the gun came from a "cuz", uncle, brother or homey...

Only a punk , grouchy teen or childless person would cry "bad parent": which one are YOU?
"

" go to Texas pull a gun. Don't use it, better wish you had.......Read the news parents. Guns don't kill,,,,,,,,,,STUPID PARENTS DO!!!! We are all responsible. "

" jen1991 - I think you wasted time reading studies about how teens are wired differently than adults, that is called common sense. :) Think back to when you were 15, would you have pulled a gun on someone?

Of course this kid will probably be more of a criminal when he gets out but he pointed a gun in someones face! If that happened to me, I think I would see that gun in my face everyday for the rest of my life and live in fear of it happening again. Every day that kid is in prison he can think abou that. Maybe if his parents did give a rat's *** like you mentioned he wouldn't have done that, but he did. There is no if's or but's here, he did a really bad crime and he's getting what he deserved. And with the teen crime rate increasing like it is, you can't slap their hands anymore and say bad boy. They want to act like criminals then they shall be treated like criminals. Sad, yes but it is what it is. "

" I have read the studies that prove teens are not wired like adults. Sure, what they did was very dangerous and I am not trying to take away from that fact. But I also can't help but wonder if they will come out of prison more hardened and dangerous than before they went in. I also can't help but wonder what counseling, intervention, and someone who actually gives a rat's behind could do for them. There have been many kids who have turned their lives around because of these three simple things. "

" PS. Maybe the TWO punks can visit with their father's while they are locked up!!! "

" That GREAT! When they want to DO hard crime(s) at the end of the day, they should be given HARD TIME! It should not matter IF they came from a home that was broken, bent or twisted? That don't give them the right nor justification to come out in the world and take it out on folk's who played no part in their existance period. If the punk's want to give somebody hell, it should be to the TWO idiots who mated who 9 times out of 10 was not fit to raise a dog to begin with! Great Judge F, keep on putting them in a society they deserve to be in! "

" judge said a stiff sentence was needed to deter future crimes such as this,then what kind of message are we sending trying to close prisons!!! i suppose we could tie them to a tree,oh what a can of worms that would open. "

" To Growing up 70's:

"Striking a blow" is the phrase, the additional word "for" or 'against" is the defining factor. You can either strika a blow "for" justice or strike a blow "against" justice. No matter what Judge Fitzgerald is doing an excellent job!!! "

" PS to Marsh: and of COURSE Dodds would not use the words "excuse". In fact, his exact words do NOT convey, at all, that he "said it was no excuse", as you imply.

His saying he was not trying to "minimize" his client's actions does NOT mean the same thing.
When he used the word "but" after that sentence, he WAS, in fact, offering up a possible excuse, or reason, or rationale, whatever else an excuse can be called.

Yes, he has a job to do. But lawyers need to find something else than the lame "poor upbringing" theory, as there many more examples of GOOD people from hard backgrounds than there are of a poor upbringing CAUSING lawless behavior.
After years of evidence coming to light to disprove the theory, I'm appalled that ANY lawyer would resort to using it these days... "

" To Marsh: REREAD the paragraph: Dodds said he was not trying to "minimize" what Morgan did, BUT "pointed out (ie: as in, a mitigating EXCUSE, even if "partially"? for Morgan's behavior) that his client came from a broken home", etc.
WHY BRING IT UP, if he's not using it as some form of rationale or excuse for the punk's actions??
I KNOW (and appreciate that) the justice system needs law on both sides of the cases. But the "poor upbringing" card is like the equally over-used "race card".
NEITHER has any real connection to differentiating between right and wrong.
Insanity? Maybe. Low intelligence? Perhaps.
But the poor upbringing thing would only be a viable defense if MOST citizens with poor upbringing were proven to commit violent and serious crimes.
MOST do NOT, in fact.
Only criminals, and their lawyers, try to elicit sympathy by using this limp defense.
"

" jipsi, Dodds said it was no excuse. So why are you being so hard on him? He has a job to do and that is to make an argument for his client. Maybe he's just using whatever argument he can find. Yeah, let's fault him for trying to be a vital part of the justice system. "

" To nwhs student: Here is a quick life lesson for you. There are certain acts in our society that while you may be a minor, are so grossly wrong that the punishment needs to be severe. For these crimes a youth needs to be charged as an adult. Putting a gun to someone's face is a life ending threat, and a direct one. This youth has indicated that they do not mind if they take someones life. You do not point a gun at another persons face unless you have some intent on using it. This was done so that they could joyride in a car. These two young men have no concept of right from wrong, and need to be locked up. "

" well, this "kid" knew exactly what he was doing. Hopefully he stays in jail a long time then moves back to Harvey. We don't need thugs in B/N. "

" To nwhs student:
"a 15 year old doesn't have thr rights of an adult but gets charged as one?" This article does not articulate the defendants prior criminal history, if there is one. It is highly probable that the sentance was, at least partially, based on the defandant's prior criminal history. By the way, when did you examine The Bill Of Rights? "

" nwhs student - I'm not sure what you mean to have rights as an adult? You mean voting, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling rights? Those are all privelages you earn as you reach those ages, not rights. It is sad that this kid's life is going to be ruined but he knew right from wrong and the punishment fits the crime in this case. Sorry but this kid deserves what he got. I know plenty of people who had nothing and no one their whole lives and they are upstanding citizens in the community, there are no excuses for his behavior. I wish him the best and hope he comes out a better man. "

" a 15 year old doesn't have thr rights of an adult but gets charged as one? Anyone else see something wrong with that? They aren't adults for a reason and shouldn't be charged as one. When he comes back he will know what real gangs are like after being in jail. "

" to bigbrother: your first blog doesn't even make sense. In the first line you seem to be commending the Judge and then your last sentence is condemning him. I suspect your are not familiar with the term "struck another blow" since that means he has done a disservice to the justice system. "

" thank you judge they got what they deserved "

" Good news--lock 'em up!!!!! "

" that's to bad.those kids threw away there youth and probably there life.how ever hows the victim doing.i'm sure that was not a good day that they'll never forget,no matter how hard they try.if you think a 15 or younger can't commit hard core crime,think again. "

" I'm tired of hearing the "broken home" excuse. There are millions from "broken homes" who don't commit crimes, are law-abiding citizens, and turn out to be productive members of society. These kids knew right from wrong. "

" Judge Fitzgerald has once again championed the victim and the citizens of McLean County. His continued support of appropriate punishment for violent criminals is commendable. The citizens of McLean County have grown weary of little or no consequence for violent crimes in our community. We need more judges like Fitzgerald to let criminals know that in our communities breaking the law has stiff consequences. "

" Living in jail is better than living in Harvey. Opportunity left south suburban Cook County years ago. 3 meals a day and free health care. He even has a gym at his disposal. "

" Okay, Mr. Dodds, SO... following your logic, if EVERY kid in the country who 'came from a broken home and that his father was “in and out of prison”' is to be given carte blanche, in any criminal situation they may find themselves in, prior to turning 18, then we law-abiding citizens are in a whole peck o' trouble....

Criminal behavior is to be PUNISHED, not "excused".
*I* grew up in a broken home, and although my Father was not "in jail", he was certainly not around much when we were kids. There were several Christmas'es where we had NOTHING under the tree except the cards and drawings we made each other.
We were taught wrong from right, and that there is NEVER a "right reason" to commit a crime (wrong) unless it's a question of self-defense and survival.
These punks were not in any life-threatening situation, and their upbringing was NO DIFFERENT than millions of others in the country.
More preachers and pastors need to be sermonizing about THAT to their congregations, NOT supporting (and exhibiting!) bad behavior but RAILING AGAINST IT...
Just my 2 cents... "

" Judge Fitzgerald has heard the outcry of the citizens in McLean County. We have grown weary of the slaps on the wrist handed down by the judicial system. I commend the judge for seeing that these two boys deserved to recieve the appropriate sentences. Its refreshing to read that committing crime in our cities and on our streets carries a consequence. Judge Fitzgerald has struck another blow for the justice system and the law abiding citizens of McLean County. "

" Nice! About time somebody great a pair in Mclean Co and cracked down on crime. "