TN - 12 yr old Smothers her 8 yr old Cousin, Demeria, to Death in Humbolt July 2024

[sunspun]

Well, trying her in adult court, as the DA said, at least gives them some control over her punishment, and they can now use their discretion as to what they will do with her. If she'd been tried as a juvenile, their options are more limited, plus they lose control completely at age 18. When she turned 18, they'd have no more say at all in what they can do with her. Now at least, there will be more time to evaluate her and see if there's any chance at rehabilitation or safe re-entry back into the public. Trying her as an adult simply expands their options. It doesn't mean she will necessarily be treated or sentenced as an adult would be in the same situation. They can be more creative now in tailoring her punishment to fit the crime that she committed as a child of only 12 years old. They can take the seriousness of the crime as well as her young age into consideration and sentence her accordingly. They'll have to put a lot of thought into it, and hopefully, compassion will figure in. They could only do this by trying her as an adult, imo.

 

[Knox]

Well, trying her in adult court, as the DA said, at least gives them some control over her punishment, and they can now use their discretion as to what they will do with her. If she'd been tried as a juvenile, their options are more limited, plus they lose control completely at age 18. When she turned 18, they'd have no more say at all in what they can do with her. Now at least, there will be more time to evaluate her and see if there's any chance at rehabilitation or safe re-entry back into the public. Trying her as an adult simply expands their options. It doesn't mean she will necessarily be treated or sentenced as an adult would be in the same situation. They can be more creative now in tailoring her punishment to fit the crime that she committed as a child of only 12 years old. They can take the seriousness of the crime as well as her young age into consideration and sentence her accordingly. They'll have to put a lot of thought into it, and hopefully, compassion will figure in. They could only do this by trying her as an adult, imo.

That’s interesting. There is a case in California right now- he was 14 when he murdered an 8 year old girl. Tried in juvenile court, and is now aging out. DA’s Office is protesting his release, a Judge ruled the release will be decided in court by a jury.

Maybe laws vary by State?

 

[GoBuckeyes]

The victim’s mother, Rayana Smith, identified her as Demeria Hollingsworth. She remembered Demeria was always smiling, doing well in school, and hugging her little sister.

“She liked to read books, go swimming, play outside, ride her bike every day, play with the kids in the neighborhood, play with my friends kids. My baby was sweet,” Smith said.


Smith said the girls were staying with their grandmother in Humboldt for the summer. She says the issue stemmed over an argument over an iPhone.

https://wreg.com/news/mid-south/12-year-old-girl-charged-with-killing-8-year-old-by-suffocation/

Such a precious little girl. Just look at that infectious smile. Rest easy, little one.