Letter: Children must not be given death sentences

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 8:52 a.m.

I was surprised to learn in Tom Teepen's Feb. 1 commentary that the United States condones the execution of youths under age 18, and that the Supreme Court will soon revisit this issue with the strong possibility of once again approving this practice. I am appalled that we as a nation would sanction the execution of children.

It is true that 16- and 17-year-olds have committed heinous crimes and should certainly be punished for their actions. However, these 16- and 17-year-olds are not emotionally or mentally mature enough to fully understand the implications and consequences of their actions. Juveniles do not think like adults. Our legal system recognized that fact and established a juvenile court system. However, when a teen is tried as an adult, execution as a punishment becomes a very real possibility.

Teepen pointed out that last year the United States sentenced two juveniles to death and that no other nation officially endorses the execution of children. As a nation, we pride ourselves as advocates of both human rights and child welfare. Isn't it time we stopped the practice of legally killing children.

DONNA J. VAN DYKE