Compassionate Reader
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2010
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There's one thing I'd like to address up front. That's the idea that an eighteen-year-old is an adult. First, they can't buy liquor until 21. Second, they can't enter into a contract until 21. In short, they're not legal adults until they're 21. Yes, they can vote because they can serve in the military. However, Mark Twain's statement, "When I was 18, I thought my father was a complete idiot. Three years later, I was surprised at how much he had learned" is a propos in this situation. Most people mature a lot between eighteen and 21.
Yes, they are tried as adults when accused of a capital crime, but Jason (at 16) and Jessie (at 17) were also tried as adults. I've even heard of cases of much younger children being tried as adults when accused of a heinous crime. So, trying to imply that Damien was lying or dodging or whatever when he said that, at the time of the crime, he and Jason and Jessie were "just kids" is disingenuous at the least and downright smarmy at its worst.
As to why we saw less of Jason and Jessie, and therefore heard them professing their innocence less, that was simply because Damien was the "poster child" of the case because he was the one on Death Row. Jason has been speaking out quite a bit since the release. Jessie hasn't, true, but that's understandable given his mental deficiency. If you've seen more of Damien it's probably because he is promoting his book and he is the best-known of the three because he was the one interviewed most often while incarcerated.
Make no mistake, all three maintained their innocence while in prison and would have been glad to "shout it from the rooftops" whenever given the chance. Jason and Jessie were simply not given the chance in prison and, as Damien mentioned in the quote above, if they spoke out too loudly or too often, it could lead to beatings and loss of privileges and/or possessions. Contrary to what some say, there is absolutely no evidence that any of them "confessed" after their convictions. Jessie's infamous "Hand on the Bible" statement to his attorney and the subsequent statement to authorities were merely his last attempt to "go home" which is all he ever wanted to do!
Yes, they are tried as adults when accused of a capital crime, but Jason (at 16) and Jessie (at 17) were also tried as adults. I've even heard of cases of much younger children being tried as adults when accused of a heinous crime. So, trying to imply that Damien was lying or dodging or whatever when he said that, at the time of the crime, he and Jason and Jessie were "just kids" is disingenuous at the least and downright smarmy at its worst.
As to why we saw less of Jason and Jessie, and therefore heard them professing their innocence less, that was simply because Damien was the "poster child" of the case because he was the one on Death Row. Jason has been speaking out quite a bit since the release. Jessie hasn't, true, but that's understandable given his mental deficiency. If you've seen more of Damien it's probably because he is promoting his book and he is the best-known of the three because he was the one interviewed most often while incarcerated.
Make no mistake, all three maintained their innocence while in prison and would have been glad to "shout it from the rooftops" whenever given the chance. Jason and Jessie were simply not given the chance in prison and, as Damien mentioned in the quote above, if they spoke out too loudly or too often, it could lead to beatings and loss of privileges and/or possessions. Contrary to what some say, there is absolutely no evidence that any of them "confessed" after their convictions. Jessie's infamous "Hand on the Bible" statement to his attorney and the subsequent statement to authorities were merely his last attempt to "go home" which is all he ever wanted to do!