Subject: Tyler Edmonds, a "Child"

Dear Editor,

There were 8 judges who ruled on Tyler Edmonds appeal. Six voted against a new trial while 2 voted for a new trial. Although it was a losing majority, most agreed that Tyler's punishment was too harsh and that MS judges are given no discretion. Even if a child was rehabilitatable, by mandatory sentencing, he is never given a chance to prove himself. These same judges said that the LEGISLATURE needs to look into the laws that govern their state's children.

That is where Representative Flaggs came in. He develpoed HB1090. He even went and visited Tyler in prison. HB1090 did pass through the House and then landed on the Senates door step only to get kicked to the curb by Senator Gray Tollison.

I will never understand why the people of MS, did not RISE UP, STAND UP and be heard about the injustice bestowed on TYLER EDMONDS, at only 13 yrs of age, sentenced to prison for LIFE, with the MS Court of Appeals even DENIED this child a chance at life"outside" of prison.

This is a disgrace, childen should NEVER be TRIED AS AN ADULT, they clearly ARE NOT. A direct "violation" of the constitutional amendments rights!!! Is cruel and inhumane.

Judge Kitchens allowed a "so-called expert," to testify to the fact there were two fingers on the weapon, I would like to know
HOW he came to this so called "conclusion", when the weapon, WAS NEVER FOUND. Seems, this is only "an assumption" in his own mind, and NOT "evidence". Yet Judge Kitchens DENIED the defense to present an expert in "false confessions".

I am ashamed to live in a country, where dogs are treated with utmost care, and our nation's "children" are treated like yesterday's "garbage".

This child has never been in trouble before, had NO criminal record, accused of this crime, is barbaric and inhumane, children are so vulnerable and so easily influenced by adults in his world. This "child" is WORTH SAVING. Tyler Edmonds, as a citizen of this United States, deserves FAR BETTER than what was thrown at this child.

Tho we have never forgotten the victims in this case, Tyler Edmonds was indeed a VICTIM also, by being so easily "influenced" by his own sister, into confessing to a crime, this child did NOT crime, in trying to help "save" his sister. There are many cases, in which a person did, in fact, make a "false confession". In Tyler's case, this indeed, needs to be MORE and THOROUGHLY investigated.
The numerous studies and reports on false confessions must be recognized by officials, and not considered as "voo doo" science.

Have the people of this nation and Mississipp, become so cold, so callous, so unforgiving, so closed minded, as not to open their hearts and minds to how "children" in this nation are being destroyed, by "present day" laws?

Knightgale
Administrator
KIDS IN COURT
http://www.kidsincourt.net
WHOOPASS FOR JUSTICE
http://www.whoopassforjustice.org