Cheryl Armstrong is serving a 96-year sentence for two counts of second degree murder. She did not kill anyone, but drove the getaway car and was accused of being the “mastermind” in a double homicide in 1995 when she was 16 years old.
I spoke with Cheryl’s mother, Carol Johann yesterday about Cheryl and about her case. Cheryl’s parents moved from the Denver area to Canon City in order to be near the prison so they can visit their daughter. Carol told me that Cheryl will be 63 years old before she is eligible for parole.
The following are Cheryl’s words, originally posted on the Pendulum Foundation website. At her mother’s request, I’ve updated the length of time of Cheryl’s incarceration and I’ve noted that she completed her associates degree in November. She is currently pursuing a bachelors degree.
My name is Cheryl Armstrong, and I am serving a 96-year sentence for two counts of second degree murder. I did not kill anyone, but drove the getaway car and was accused of being the “mastermind” in a double homicide in 1995 when I was 16 years old. I have now been incarcerated for almost 13 years. Today, I am an entirely different person from the girl who was involved in a horrible tragedy that destroyed so many people’s lives. I know for a fact that I learned from my mistakes - they changed my life and helped turn me into the person I’ve become today. Every day for the rest of my life, I will feel horrible about what I was involved in when I was 16. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my victims and the pain I’ve caused their families - and my own. The words “I’m sorry” do no justice to how remorseful I am now, although I am so very sorry for the pain their families suffer.
Since I have been incarcerated, I have completely changed in numerous ways and am achieving things for myself. I completed my GED in 1995 and have continued my education by completing the Business School program offered at my facility. I have also been taking college classes for the last five years, and I received an Associate of Arts Degree in November of 2007.
Upon my release, I would like to be some sort of counselor for troubled teens. I really want to use my bad experience to try to help others from making the same mistakes that I made. It’s heartbreaking to see so many children that made one horrible mistake get thrown into prison for the rest of their lives, when a huge number of them could be rehabilitated and, more than likely, never re-offend after release from prison.
Looking back, I can’t even believe that it was me who participated in something so atrocious I didn’t even care about my own life then and never took anything seriously. I have always said that I deserve to be in prison for what I did. I do not, however, feel that I should be here for another 80+ years. I have grown up and would NEVER be a threat to society. I have no violence on my record in prison, and that’s because there’s not a violent bone in my body now. I think a 96-year sentence was harsh considering it was my first offense and I actually didn’t commit a violent act.
I have accepted responsibility for my mistakes and learned from them. I would do ANYTHING to get just ONE chance to prove that I’m a changed person and would love to become a productive member of society who could make a difference in our youth’s lives. I pray that I, along with so many others who came to prison as children, will one day get this chance.ABOUT THE CRIME
In being asked to rehash the terribly tragic event that brought me to prison when I was 16 with a 96-year sentence, the first emotion that comes to mind is sorrow…sorrow for every person affected by our careless actions. I am ashamed of the person I was when I was 15-16 years old. I feel embarrassed and humiliated to talk about my crime, because I am a COMPLETELY different person today. Those emotions, though, are part of the reason why I feel it so important to talk about it now. What my co-defendants and I did was indisputably wrong, but I know from personal experience that what this system is doing to its children is also very wrong. Therefore, I want my story to be heard in hopes that it will help society to see that children don’t belong in prison for the rest of their lives.
As a child, I was very close to my family and had a great childhood. I was an honor roll student until 9th grade and wasvery outgoing in sports and other activities (tennis, swimming, ice skating, girl scouts, etc.). My dad was a violent man, and my mom left him for good when I was two years old. I grew up visiting him less and less as I got older. I never got into any trouble until I was 14 years old. I grew up in real small towns, but when I was 14 we moved to Littleton, Colorado, and I was exposed to city life for the first time. To this day, I can’t say what was so alluring about the negative things I got drawn into. I think, at first, I just wanted to make new friends in a new place, and I obviously picked the wrong people to associate with. I started doing drugs, and for the next two years it all went downhill from there.
All this anger appeared from God knows where. I became a very bitter child who had no respect for anyone or anything. I wasn’t real violent, but had a horrible energy within me that the simplest thing would trigger. I have only been in two fights in my life, but had a horrible mouth that would say anything without thinking. Since my childhood, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is how much power the words we speak really have in our lives. So many of my words came back to haunt me at my trial and what is so sad about it is that I really did not mean any of them. I would say horrible things (not just where my crime was concerned, but in general) and not even feel the same way five minutes later. Like every other kid I knew, I made idle threats that never carried any real intention. We all spoke that way so frequently that it really did seem completely normal, although now I realize the way we talked was anything but that.
Here’s the truth. There are two victims in my case. One of them had been my boyfriend for about ten months before I got arrested. The second victim was his other girlfriend. I was accused of basically ordering my friends to kill them both on the night of April 17, 1995, as a result of a supposed “jealous rage” due to his leaving me.
Still to this day, it is inconceivable to me how the plot of the story got so absurdly twisted and blown out of proportion. I will never get over the fact that a huge part of my conviction is based on fabricated misconceptions that were created by a prosecutor who was politically motivated to get a conviction to further his own career. Denver was “cracking down” on gang and teen violence that year, and I was the example used to show that if you make one huge mistake, you’re going to rot in prison for the rest of your life. The prosecutor was running for DA soon after my trial and was hell-bent beyond reason on making me out to be the worst child ever born. His prosecutorial tactics were cut-throat…some of his prior convictions had even been thrown out due to prosecutorial misconduct. The case was HUGE in the media also, and I was convicted there before I ever went to trial.
Before the crime happened, I had told the victim that I was messing around with someone else besides him. He told me to pick between them, and I picked the other guy. I left HIM - the first of many, many details to get twisted at my trial so I could become what they needed me to be and fall for first-degree murder. Our conversation got ugly, and he threatened to kill me and my mom. Then, I threatened him. He also had his friends call my house and leave threatening messages. These were people in his gang (he was a Blood). I then told one of my friends about it, and he called him on the phone and told him, “You’re dead.” He was a Crip and for this reason alone he never got along with the victim, and vice versa. Every person we know talked like this frequently…no one ever ended up dead.
he next day I was driving around in my car and we were bored with nothing to do. I said, “Let’s go get him (the victim).” Everyone in the car agreed, so we started to drive to his house. The bottom line is this… I didn’t care what happened that night. It has taken me years to be honest enough to say that. It’s such a horrible thing to say, but it is true. There is a huge difference, though, between being angry and not thinking or caring about the results…and forcing someone to commit murder. I did not have any respect for myself, let along anyone else in the world. My mind had fallen into some dark place and was lost there from the time I was about 15 until at least a year after I was arrested.
Cheryl doesn’t make any excuses for her actions. She made bad decisions and two people are dead. But does her culpability warrant a sentence of 96 years? I’m not proud of the things I was doing when I was sixteen either. I was drinking underage and doing a lot of other things I shouldn’t have been doing too. When I think of the tragedies that could have happened, I shudder. I was lucky.
If Cheryl’s parents were wealthy, they could probably afford the kind of legal representation necessary to pursue lengthy, expensive appeals, but they’re not.
If the purpose of the criminal justice system is to protect the public and punish and rehabilitate the offender, hasn’t justice been served?
Please share your thoughts on Cheryl’s case.
22 responses so far ↓
Don M. Auman // January 26, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I know Cheryl and support and hope for the commutation of the shocking prison sentence she continues to serve. I have many thoughts on why she deserves a chance to be freed from prison and live her life as a contributing member of society. I wrote to then Governor Owens petitioning for clemency on Cheryl’s behalf.
I will also share the letter with you that I wrote to the group that I had been regularly communicating with regarding case of Lisl Auman. You may recall that Lisl was convicted in what I call an overzealous and corrupt prosecution, also in Denver, and who’s conviction the Colorado Supreme Court threw out, thereby freeing her from prison. I am happy to report that she is doing very well.
I feel that if visitors to the Compassion in Juvenile Sentencing blog investigate Cheryl’s case that they will also see the injustice of her sentence.
Best,
Don M. Auman
——————-
March 14, 2005
Subject: Clemency Recommendation for Cheryl Armstrong
Honorable Governor Bill Owens,
Cheryl Armstrong is currently serving a nearly 100 year sentence in Canon City, CO for second degree murder. Even though she was only 16-years-old at the time of the crime she was tried as an adult. I feel that this sentence is too harsh for Cheryl’s involvement in the case. She got involved with bad people and let her desire to be accepted among her peers overwhelm good sense. Making poor choices is a common trait among many adolescents, but imprisonment for the rest of her life for one mistake that occurred while she was a juvenile is not right in this case.
I know Carol Johann, Cheryl’s mother, to be a conscientious and responsible Coloradan. I communicate with her regularly. She has been there for Cheryl and I know for a fact that she will continue to provide proper emotional and caring support to make Cheryl’s reintroduction to society successful.
While serving a prison sentence certainly appears to be justified in this case, the 96-year sentence seems to be out of all proportion. Cheryl did not witness the actual crime, but for driving the killers away from the scene she will serve essentially the same amount of prison time as the two older males who did the actual shooting. Three other passengers in the car, including a male who supplied the guns, were not charged at all in the killings.
Cheryl continues to express regret for her actions and she remains mournful to the families affected at their losses. Cheryl’s accomplishments in continuing college education and other documented measures to rehabilitate herself during the past ten years are signs that she would develop to be a contributing member of society.
Please consider Cheryl Armstrong’s clemency. I support the Pendulum Foundation and their platform that children who can be rehabilitated should be given a second chance.
Sincerely,
Don M. Auman
———————
March 16, 2005
Hello Friends,
I don’t usually ask for your assistance on issues unless it is directly related to freeing Lisl, but I have become sensitive to justice issues over the years and how prosecutors often guide witness statements to obtain the results that they want.
I am writing to a select few of you today on behalf of Cheryl Armstrong’s request to be granted Clemency for her conviction for second degree murder that resulted in a harsh 96-year prison sentence. I believe her request has merit. She is a friend of Lisl’s and I see Cheryl and her family often when I visit Lisl in Canon City. She would have great support if released.
I won’t go into a lot of details here, but I would like to suggest that you send letters (by MARCH 23rd) to Governor Owens asking him to give serious consideration to Cheryl’s Clemency request.
You can read more about her case at:
http://www.pendulumfoundation.com/kidsserving.htm
Letters you write need to be sent directly to Carol’s mother so that they can be presented as a package to the appropriate people in Governor Owens’ office. See the attached letters, which are actually being presented, for ideas, and keep in mind that the number of letters received has a bearing on how the decision is weighed.
Title letters to: Honorable Governor Bill Owens
Write your name and address at the bottom and sign it and send it to Cheryl’s mother, Carol Johann, directly. Please call or write her if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Don
——————-
Good Luck Cheryl! -Don
lisakenney // January 26, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Don,
Thank you very much for commenting and providing this additional information. I remember Lisl’s case well and in light of the Tim Masters release and the heightened visibility about the treatment of juvenile cases, I hope to post about her case soon as a reminder that overly harsh sentences and miscarriages of justice are carried out far too often in our state. The amount of support that Lisl was able to garner through the efforts of people like Hunter S. Thompson was incredible, but I fear there are far too few Hunter S. Thompsons in the world and far too many people languishing in prison who the world has forgotten.
I also plan to contact the Governor’s Juvenile Clemency Board in the near future to find out what steps have been taken to begin reviewing cases.
I thank you very much for commenting and hope you will pass this URL on to others and encourage them to comment as well.
Lisa
Pam // January 27, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I too know Cheryl Armstrong. I lived in the same building with Cheryl at the Women’s facility in Canon. I also know that Cheryl is an inspiration to those that do time with her. I have always seen her to be a kind and lovely young woman. I also have a 17 year old daughter and I know personally that children often make bad spur of the moment decisions. It is usually at these times when we as parents have the opportunity to teach them about consequential thinking.
Cheryl is a victim of making bad decisions. And a prison sentence is warranted although she certainly should not be held in prison for a horrific period of time for making a truly horrible mistake during a moment in history when legislation dictated her sentence.
Rehabilitation of our children is our duty and that includes seeing when they have made the changes necessary to be whole and healthy members of society.
good luck Cheryl!!
lisakenney // January 27, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Pam,
I am a regular visitor to the CCJRC website and blog and have learned a great deal through the great work that you do. Thanks so much for commenting and for the great work that you and your colleagues do.
Lisa
Colorado Governor’s Juvenile Clemency Board Application is Available « Compassion in Juvenile Sentencing // February 3, 2008 at 12:59 am
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Gladys // February 8, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I read about Cheryl Armstrong on The Pendulum Foundation site some time ago. I feel her sentencing was very harsh. Now the law only allows a maximum of 40 years for similar crimes where she got 96 years. I understand Cheryl has obtained her Batchelor’s Degree and working on a Master’s. I think we should be trying to rehabilitate these young kids. I understand Cheryl would like to use her education to worked with troubled teens to keep them from making the same mistakes she made. I strongly feel Cheryl’s sentence should be commuted and think that she would be an asset to society if given that chance.
Gerry Evans // February 11, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I am sickened by the sentence being served Cheryl Armstrong. I doubt that such a savage sentence would apply in Europe or here in New Zealand, where she would have been tried as a juvenile. I wish you well in your efforts to free her. I am a NZ writer and if I can help I will. I am proud to say I am a friend of Lisl Auman, who would still be in jail if good people had not fought so hard to get her a retrial.
Gerry Evans
New Zealand
lisakenney // February 11, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Gladys,
I will be sure to pass on your support to Cheryl the next time I write to her.
Gerry,
As you know from Lisl’s case, individual voices do make a difference. I hope to hear more from you about this. Please email me if you have any ideas about how to bring more attention to Cheryl’s case.
Steve Johann // February 29, 2008 at 10:26 pm
My name is Steve Johann, and I am Cheryl’s older step brother. I had a hard child hood growing up and I sometimes thought the punishments I recieved for the stupid things I have done were harsh. But now looking at my stepsisters punishment, mine were nothing compaired to what she got. 90 years in prison, thats a long time to go without even meating her nephews, Jeremy, Damian and Aj. I hope that one day in the near future, someone will see this great life she is missing and let her start over.
Steve Johann
Grand Junction’Co
My Other Two Blogs Are… « Lisa Kenney // March 1, 2008 at 8:44 pm
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Cindy Cottrell // March 16, 2008 at 4:45 pm
My name is Cindalin Cottrell, and my daughter, Catherine Farnkoff, is incarcerated in the same facility as Cheryl, at Canon Women’s Correctional Facility. The following is a letter that Catherine would like for you to read:
Dear Readers,
For the past 2 1/2 years I have had the pleasure of haing Cheryl Armstrong in my life. I was 20 when I arrived here at CWCF, I knew noone, and had no idea what prison was like. I met Cheryl within the first two weeks here. She was involved in the prison dog program, which I was anxious to apply for. I soon moved in to the room next to Cheryl, and we have been close friends since.
I have come to know Chery and her parents, and their struggle for possible future freedom for Cheryl. In just 2 1/2 years, she has taught me more than most could in a lifetime. She has taught me a great deal about patience and self-discipline. She has taught me to have a voice, and to feel comfortable in my own skin. She has shown me how to stand up for myself, and to walk with my head high. I have learned self respect and compassion from her. Most of all, Cheryl has taught me that people make mistakes, big and small, but that people can, and do change. So to her, a big thank you for all she has shared.
Cheryl was a kid when she arrived at prison, a juvenile in an adult world. She has been fighting for freedom, not just for herself, but for everyone who was also a minor when they became incarcerated. It should be society’s duty to differentiate between children and adults, and to punish accordingly.
Cheryl’s support system is amazing, a direct reflection of the remarkable woman that she is. More and more people read her story, and find her circumstances appalling. People from all over that don’t even know Cheryl want to help her. Because I do know her, I want to tell you
that you are not wasting your time. She deserves your support. Cheryl has worked hard to become a better person, to grow an achieve. I urge everyone to know her, to read her story, and to discover what an amazing person she is.
Cheryl,I know good things are coming. We all support you and wish you the best of luck. Congratulations on recieving your Associates Degree!
With all my respect,
Catherine Farnkoff
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The Life Cheryl Dreams Of « Compassion in Juvenile Sentencing // March 26, 2008 at 9:14 pm
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Concerned Citizen // March 31, 2008 at 11:01 am
At the risk of being bias because I know Cheryl Armstrong (a genuine, and wonderful human being), I feel it is my duty to speak on her behalf as well as other juveniles that have been given overly harsh sentences. All bias aside, I cannot put enough emphasis on how the capricious treatment toward our youthful offenders is not only circumventing potential rehabilitation, but also impacting the values of the American Society in a sour manner. If critics, would put their overzealous opinions aside for one second and consider the stance that they would take if their son or daughter had made one serious mistake and was standing on the other side of judge’s platform, I believe, and hope that they might reconsider their stance.
Considering that whimsical revenge is what got most of our youth in to serious trouble, prosecutors should think twice about making the same mistake as the accused. Two wrongs don’t make a right. No more revenge, how about justice?
Concerned Citizen
Wendy Sanchez // April 7, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I am a good friend of Cheyl,s for many many years, I lived in thesame facility with her, worked beside her, cried with her, laughed with her and somehow tried to make our friendship strong enough to take us away out of the hell we lived in. I too, am yound adult that was convicted as an adult at 16 for a crime I was involved in with a co-defendant that of lagal age to know better, which then led to a 4 year prison term. That 4 years was a blessing to me and changed my life completely, and thinking what 4 year to 96 years for committing an offense as a child when at 16 we are so influenced by our peers and have no recollection of consequence, nor do we think of our futures…Please take a moment to think of when you were16 years old, and how many actions you did that were never caught or what could have happened if you were? When we are children we think and act in childish ways but as growing with our lifes mistakes and blows we grow into adults! Cheryl Armstong is a wonderful person, one of the best,most compassionate, driven persons I have ever met! To think that this corrupt system could keep her in prison for most her life is such a waste to society! I support Cheryl’ s cause and walk thru this path with her fighting…good luck, baby, we all love and continue to fight for you!!
Mason // April 7, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Dear friends:
Henry David Thoreau once wrote “Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.”
Never were the intentions of the words more clear. Attached, you will find the the plight of yet another beautiful soul who found herself thrown upon the bloody, ruthless gears of the American justice system. Although the story of Cheryl Armstrong should be in every newspaper, tabloid, blog, podcast, and on the side of every cereal box in North America, I only know of it only because of my dear sister Lisl. It is otherwise the story I would skim by on my way to “Dear Abby.” I was introduced to Cheryl in the Colorado Women’s Correctional Facility one day during a visitation session with Lisl. Her story sincerely struck a chord with me. It is one that is full of hate, tears, and now redemption. That last part is up to us.
True reason requires compassion. But our system (which once aimed for the heart of reason) can be at times fragile, at other times venomous. This case, unfortunately, falls into the category of the latter. The case against Cheryl was built upon rage, built on hate, built on pain. The depths of these emotions I have felt only from the side that Cheryl is now sitting on; the side of the accused and the side of the hopeless.
This has become a case that is a blackhole of any feeling what so ever. The very real pain still remains for the families of the dead, but their pain has been grossly mis-attributed to Cheryl alone, and away from the true forces that lead to the deaths of two people. Cheryl makes no concessions for her actions, but these were the actions of a 16 year old child, and these actions lead to a sentence of 96 years in prison. Is this a case built on reason? Atavistic rage has given way to stagnant acceptance, we accept that there will sometimes be cases of injustice (1% according to some studies), but our system tacitly accepts the factor of 1%.
I’m not trying to argue that there was not a crime committed. But at what point can we honestly look at a case like this and give a sentence of “time served?” No matter how noble the American justice system strives to be, and no matter how noble the system can be, the truth of the matter is that Cheryl was under-defended, and was sacrificed at the alter of emotion, thus making her a factor of 1%.
Many will say, and have said that this is just one case. Just one case? One case is one person, one family, one life cycle defined by hatred, fear, and sacrifice. Justice begins with one, justice is about one. One family, one individual, one heart.
Thanks for reading friends
Alicia // April 8, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Bright Blessings to all of you doing good out there. I have seen what a circus a trial can become in the wrong hands. If I hadn’t seen with my own eyes I wouldn’t believe it happens. Prosecutors with wild imaginations and the willingness of the press to go along and our sheeplike way of believing…….
And a kid gets sent to adult prison and we forget. Is it just dumb luck that Cheryl only went on to better herself? If she can overcome the enviroment of the correctional facility just think of the things she will do when she is out! Bet she does amazing things! I look forward to seeing them.
carole evans // April 17, 2008 at 12:55 am
I am horrified by the savagery of the sentence handed down to Cheryl, it would never happen in britain, I work with young offenders and although they act impulsivly and need to be made aware of consequences, Cheryl’s punishment is inhuman and outweighs her involvement, she has much to offer society to pay back for her crime, for which she has already paid with her time in a prison.she should be freed now.
The Dog Program in Canon City « Compassion in Juvenile Sentencing // April 17, 2008 at 10:44 pm
[...] 17, 2008 · No Comments Like many people, I was intrigued by the photos of Cheryl Armstrong with the dogs in prison. I have never visited a prison in Colorado, and I didn’t know [...]
Gwilym // April 27, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Greetings and Solidarity from Aotearoa (New Zealand)
This particular case of mind boggling outrageous injustice is incomprhendible to me and
By the power of the poeple I hope Cheryl is set free.
Courage, much strength and salutations.
-Gwilym
Tanieka // May 11, 2008 at 7:14 pm
After reading most of the postings - I understand we make mistakes as adolecents and most cannot not comprehend the consequences of our actions during this time. I too as a teen made many many stupid mistakes… and looking back now at age 29 I realize I was so nochalant simply because I had no idea - at that age we tend to think we are invincible.
I would like to shed some light from a perspective of a person who “dealt” with knowing a childhood friend (an pregnant girlfriend) was brutally murdered and several teens KNEW their bodies lay dead in Terrance’s house rotting - while his parents were on vacation. Teens who KNEW murders were committed but did not have the remorse THEN to do anything about it… Now if I compare my own stupid mistakes as a teen, I KNOW there is no way I could have slept at night knowing 2 bodies lay dead in a house for family members to stumble upon. I remember paging Terrance over and over and over wondering why he was not returning my calls… where was he? Only to find out –I was paging him as he lay dead at home… at age 16, dealing with a friend who was maliciously murdered and those who participated never felt remorse until they were sentenced… was hard. Trying to understand at that age why life seemed so unfair… why God would allow such a terrible thing to happen. Why they didnt feel such a guilt to call the police? Following the court cases… esp. Cheryl’s I personally didnt sense any remorse for Terrance (or Rachelle)… just that she felt sorry for herself. I cannot doubt Cheryl has made a conscience effort to become a better person… she is making the most of her time in prion, but it upsets me when people say –Cheryl was a child at that time…we all made mistakes as a youth and the punishment does not fit the crime…-surely she could not comprehend how serious murder was, etc etc…. but how it is that I was 16 as well and the pain I was feeling in my heart and the anxiety I felt in my stomach was so real as the details were revealed in court. Cheryl was so obsessed back then to the point that murder became ok? To know for days two people lay dead in a house decomposing… to continue to live as though nothing had happened… I think the punishment definitely fits the crime… and life in prison is doing justice by allowing her the opportunity to become a better person… I hope that her story can inspire another youth to think before partcipating in a MURDER — yes she only drove the get away car… however, she really was the mastermind, she was manipulative and was determined to make sure T and R suffered to the extent that DEATH did not matter - now our families (13 years later) still struggle to find ways to continue to be positive about life and learn from this experience we were force into..we had no choice in the matter — but Cheryl did and even after the fact… she continued to have a choice and continued to make the wrong decision.
May Mayo (and Peterson) continue to rest in peace.
lisakenney // May 11, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Tanieka,
I had initially established this forum to function as a dialogue to discuss the issue of very long sentences for juveniles convicted of very serious crimes. It has been far easier to seek out stories of the offenders than it has been to share the stories of the victims, their families and those who loved them. I am grateful to you for commenting and I thank you for bringing more perspective to this story. Words would fail to express the sadness that I feel for you at the loss of your friends and the pain that you and their families must feel and surely always will.
I have tried to look at the issue of juveniles sentenced to life as an open ended question as to whether youthful offenders can feel remorse, be rehabilitated and at some point, be given a second chance to live among us.
As someone without ties to any offender or a victim of murder, my experiences since starting this blog have taught me that there is no clear answer to that question. Like you, I object to the use of the term “child” or “children” when talking about the offenders. I always refer to them as juveniles because despite my belief that teenagers don’t have the same capacity to recognize the consequences of their actions, I also admit to difficulty understanding how any of the juveniles sentenced to LWOP or effective life sentences came to make the decisions they did.
As an individual and as someone who lives in a world outside of all of these cases, I have no way of knowing what’s truly in another’s heart. I suppose the only thing that I can say is that perhaps we should consider time served and what we can see as factors in considering whether or not the state should consider a reduction in sentencing.
It goes without saying that the circumstances of the crime must be factored in and the voices of the victims must be heard through those left behind.
I truly appreciate you making your voice heard. Cheryl has a lot of support, but we can never, ever forget that there are those who still suffer.
Thank you,
Lisa
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