Posted by Colin Havard
Members of the jury, speaking as the court-appointed defender of these unfortunate juveniles, I can only stipulate to the
depravity of their actions and admit to the delinquency displayed in their behaviour. Surely, however, we must place the blame
where it truly belongs -- in the neglectful and callous treatment they habitually received from their parents. Abandoned for
weeks at a time without adequate supervision, set adrift upon the seas of life, literally without a lifejacket, the only guidance
vouchsafed to their tender minds was BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS. We should be calling for confinement for
these parents and not for the members of this youth gang, who require foster homes and the intervention of caring social service
resources rather than punitive action.