Prosecutors seek to try accused Central High School shooter as adult
Prosecutors seek to try accused Central High School shooter as adult Save Email Print
Posted: 12:31 PM Aug 28, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:31 PM Aug 28, 2008
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Prosecutors want to try a 15-year-old charged with fatally shooting a classmate in his school cafeteria in Knoxville as an adult.

John Gill, special assistant to the district attorney, said Thursday a petition will be filed to move Jamar Siler from juvenile court to adult criminal court, where the potential penalty would rise exponentially.

Siler is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Ryan McDonald last week at Central High School. If convicted in juvenile court he could not be incarcerated past the age of 19. In adult court, the sentence could be at least 51 years in prison.

A juvenile court judge will decide at a hearing on Oct. 9.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Posted by: midnightwriter Location: east tn on Sep 2, 2008 at 12:51 AM
These cases are bothersome; exactly where do we draw the line? We tell children under 18 that they can only drive certain hours, cannot drink, cannot vote, cannot enter into contracts, all because they are children and therefore lack the culpability to do the aforementioned. But when they commit a crime, suddendly they are culpable?? I am in no way attempting to take away the tragedy of this event..I'm just wondering out loud where it would or could end.
Posted by: walking contradiction on Aug 31, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Just as this young murderer observed his step-sister getting away with taking a life others will see him as an example as well. I'm sure he thought he was "grown" when he took that gun into school, when he made this life changing decision, now he should be treated like the adult that he thought he was! He took a life, he does not deserve to resume his normally in just a few years!
Posted by: Beth Location: Knox on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:35 AM
He killed a boy,he deserves to get life in prison.He will get counseling,support,rehabilitation in prison at tax payers expense-the other boy will have no chance to live,his family will never talk to him in this world again.it seems as if Siler is getting the best end of the deal to me.
Posted by: chris on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:47 AM
There should be another way to get justice. You have possibly 2-3 years as a juvenile or life in prison. As a juvenile, only 2-3 years for deliberately getting a gun and shooting another child in the chest isn't sufficient punishment. But life for Siler means no rehabilitation possible. It is a difficult decision.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:04 PM
It is time to stop treating young adults like babies. He did the crime he can do the time. I vote for capital punishment.
Posted by: Beth Location: Knoxville on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
He should be tried as an adult!he deserves full punishment under the law.He took a life,he should not get another slap on the wrist.I hope justice is served in this case.
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