The Juvenile Code in Maine is to ensure that rehabilitation attempts are made to get juvenile offenders back on the correct path in life. However, the code fails to take into account a juvenile committing a violent crime and then denying responsibility by claiming an “insanity defense.”
My daughter was the victim of attempted murder and the 15-year-old who stabbed her in the back and slashed her throat did not have a prior record so she was charged as a juvenile. This juvenile demonstrated absolutely no compassion or remorse as my daughter edged close to death.
The District Attorney’s office told me they will go for a “suspension of the proceedings” on July 11 to ensure the girl receives further mental health treatment but during the disposition phase this juvenile will plead “not guilty by reason of insanity” and the DA will not contest it. What this means, is a “not guilty” verdict, as she was “not responsible” and she will be free to attack again.
Juvenile Code drafters neglected to address this possibility in their code and as a result, there is no commitment for treatment, no oversight and no accountability. This girl has been at home with restrictions but soon she will be free to roam without restriction and without taking responsibility for her actions. If rehabilitation is the goal of the Juvenile Code, then certainly a violent psychotic juvenile is most in need of rehabilitation efforts and changes must occur to protect the community from such an offender.
Denise Kring
Scarborough
Editor’s note: This letter was first posted on the Current’s Web site, www.keepMEcurrent.com.
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