Teen Gone Wild

The Morning Call reports a Palmer teen, with a Stockertown accomplice, has been convicted and sentenced for numerous crimes that could have landed him with a 48 year jail sentence in state prison (read the article here).

The sentence given was 11-22 months in jail and five years probation.

I intended to write about this yesterday, but ran out of time, which is unfortunate because the earlier version of this story (I couldn't find it online today) had a quote from his mother stating he was a good kid and from the teen stating he "deserved" a second chance.

Let's recap what he's been convicted of:

• "Jones, who last month pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, trespass and retail theft,"
• "On Aug. 4, they shot out home windows and vehicle windows in Palmer Township, causing $19,249 in damage. ''I thought it was funny, at first,'' Jones said."
• "On Aug. 10, the pair went to the home of Craig Kelemen at 732 Jacktown Road in Washington Township. Jones was carrying a knife and threatened Kelemen."

This individual could have served 48 years in state prison for the crimes he committed as an 18 year old.

I was stunned to read that this individual felt he 'deserved' a second chance. I can almost understand the parent viewing him as a good kid, but this wasn't a 'mistake' it was a sequence of mistakes that got bigger and bigger. It was arrogance coupled with a lack of being responsible for ones actions.

He was ordered to repay damages, but what about all the other costs? Every person whose property was damaged or stolen had to take their time to address the matter. Everyone had to inform (or should have) notified their insurance company. Hours of labor time were invested as a result, not to mention the labor or replacing and repairing the stolen and damaged property.

So how is it an 18 year old can get to this place? How could he feel he deserves any break at this point (and he got a huge one)?