When a child commits a murder, and the victim’s surviving family members rightfully want the killer to be punished, the age of a youthful perpetrator can automatically dial down how severe that punishment is, because we, as a society, don’t hold children to the same standard of accountability as adults.

Then there’s the general public squeamishness about sending a kid to death row or life in prison. It just doesn’t feel right, and seems like compounding the tragedy.