Victims of
Juvenile Killers and Violent Teens
Sentenced To
Life Without Parole
 

This page  of the www.jlwopvictims.org website covers background on the movement to free offenders sentenced to JLWOP, some outrageous examples of why jlwop is needed, propaganda and misinformation regarding juvenile killers and also stories that we have found that focus on the offenders and specific cases of juvenile offenders.

See our page on WHO the actual well-funded offender advocates are and who is often paying for this campaign for their early release. Some of this material is pure propaganda from offender advocates who receive significant foundation funding to campaign against JLWOP. Sadly all too often they use misinformation. Some of these cases legitimately raise questions of innocence or over-sentencing. Some are simply about sympathy for the offender, usually because of his age, with little to no mention of the victims or the horrors of the crime.

Our advice for those who advocate for juvenile killers: We believe that "offender-centered" approaches to advocacy embodies the most insensitive approach to victims possible. Often this entails a most unfortunate glorification of killers, or the painting of an extremely sympathetic portrait of their horrible lives. And it can be coupled with a refusal to hold them accountable and an inability to work against a prison sentence they deem intolerable while at the same time respecting the original crimes and the victims left behind.

We invite the JLWOP reform advocates to learn from the anti-death penalty movement who, after decades of no success (in fact, more and more support going for the death penalty and against them) with a very "offender-centered" rhetoric and focus, finally in the 1990's began to finally figure out the power of a "victim-centered" opposition to the death penalty.  Now with three national organizations of victims against the death penalty, and all abolition organizations with a powerful pro-victim message, they are beginning to find much more mainstream support. We invite JLWOP advocates to really study this phenomenon.

Contents of this Page:

THE PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN in PHOTOS

How old would you say this young man is? 8? 10?

Well, his photo is on the front page of the website www.endjlwop.org , the
home page for the national Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY).

He isn't an actual offender, we are sure, though we have written CFSY and asked them for the information as to who this is. He is a child actor, as these advocates often use in their photos in their published "reports".

But in case you had not already figured it out, NO ONE in the United States has ever been sentenced to life without parole at an age that young. Even by their own numbers, 88% of JLWOP cases nationally are 17 (over half) and 16 (most of the rest). The youngest we have documented is 13 (only a handful of cases nationally) and that only for extremely violent and repeatedly serious offenses, and there are only single digit numbers of those cases nationally.  And while there may be some consensus that some states may need to increase legal protections for those very youngest offenders, overall and overwhelmingly JLWOP is extremely and appropriately rare - reserved only for those few older teens who engage in the truly worst of the worst conduct, and who pose an on-going danger to society. We call on the offender advocates to stop this propaganda campaign. There are hundreds of pictures, videos, etc., like these being used nationally to try to stop a legitimate and necessary prison sentence in rare and exceptionally dangerous circumstances for mature teens who demonstrate the highest degrees of culpability after committing extremely violent crimes.

And how old would you say this young actor is? 9, at best?

Note the baggy pants. Effective, eh?

 
How old is this little girl actress, really?

Just so you know, this is NOT the face of JLWOP in the United States. These are child actors in a propaganda photo, published in one of their reports, and they do not reflect a single real case of JLWOP in the USA. It was published in one of the reports put out by offender advocates wishing to end JLWOP in the USA, but who are engaging in a disingenuous campaign of misinformation.

And oh, by the way, the reports in which these photos appear do NOT detail any of the extremely violent crimes committed by juvenile lifers in the USA, nor does it mention their devastated victims left behind. And it definitely does not show the murder photos of the victims of the killers they are trying to set free.

NOVJL asks that all offender advocates take just a small portion of the money they are spending on their glossy publications and give some to a devastated victims family, struggling to cope with, for example, the loss of a family breadwinner because they were murdered by a violent teen.

See our In Memoriam page for the real face of JLWOP in the USA.

And read the Heritage Foundation report that sets the record straight on the real record of the extremely violent offenders who as mature teens in the USA are rarely but appropriately meriting life sentences for their extremely heinous and repeatedly violent crimes.

We have been shocked by some of the published stories (see our Links page for their reports in downloadable form) about these younger criminals that are based entirely on the versions of the crimes provided for by the offenders themselves. Not surprisingly, convicted murderers will lie about what they did to earn their life sentences. And when offender advocates ONLY talk to the criminals themselves, and then publish that version of the account -- without researching court, police, and forensic evidence, as well as other eyewitnesses, the propaganda is easy. The story for the offender sounds totally sympathetic, and one comes off reading this coverage wondering how these poor "children" could ever have been arrested, much less tried and sentenced to life for murder as adults. The true stories of these horribly violent crimes, often carefully and coldly and knowingly planned out by violent teens who were absolutely culpable for their decisions and knew exactly what they were doing, make it clear why they are in prison for life. And your local prosecutor's office can give you details about what actually happened in cases in your area. 

Offender advocates have been lying about the numbers of these cases nationwide, publishing "estimates" that include 19 year olds.

And how old do you think these two young actors are?

We are guessing maybe 7 years old? 8?

This is the cover of a report from the San Francisco School of Law!!

The picture and this cover send a clear message - the United States sentences 7 and 8 year olds to death.

NOT, of course, true at all. And this is the epitome of irresponsible advocacy.

At what point do we begin to call this horrific use of these young faces child abuse and exploitation by those claiming to defend them? Offender advocates have been lying about international law and standard, reporting frequently that the USA is the only nation in the world to incarcerate violent teens for life. This is not true. 11 countries, including Australia, do. And some do far worse - they allow children and teens to be sold into prostitution and slavery, and they allow torture and other horrible forms of mutilation to children. The US record on treatment of juvenile offenders is actually a generally good one.

For more complete coverage of the propaganda campaign, as well as side by side examples of the facts of the actual crimes versus the misinformation being put out by offender advocates, please read the new report from the Heritage Foundation Adult Time For Adult Crime.

YOU TUBE VIDEOS ABOUT JUVENILE LIFERS

We note there is little to no coverage of the crimes and the damage left behind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWOJC9gLCMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsZ1gpPZEIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR7mno6p9iQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX88aPfE5HE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doCO8oMqOPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQJL6gx6_VE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la9QJM4c3Ss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7zaWGAcd3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut1_Ua4f5vo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsKQygJM5Hw    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiX3q2xjQHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCJpnwoRCc

Websites about Juvenile Killers and Violent Teens
or their accomplices who were under 18 at the time they committed murder, who were tried, convicted and sentenced as adults, and who are now serving life sentences (some claiming innocence):

Efren Paredes
Justice for Efren Paredes, Jr
Other websites for :
www.4efren.com
free-efren.blogspot.com

Mark Clements:  RELEASED on a plea bargain deal in Illinois - August 2009
http://www.naarpr.org/node/4
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1613930,clements-judge-appeal-060909.article

Sarah Kruzan: http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2009/10/female-teen-sentenced-to-life-without-parole

Scott Dyleski -http://www.justiceforscottdyleski.com/leaddetectivelies.html
     more: http://www.theisticsatanism.com/asp/cases/PVitale.html

RuthAnn Veal -

HOW DO INMATES GET THESE SITES UP?! Who is helping them? "Nubian Goddess"?? She murdered people and left behind devastated families! She's MARRIED? Feeling "sassy"?  Expects children "someday"? Going to college now? She is serving life sentences in the Iowa Department of Corrections for murdering Catherine Haynes. Her cute MySpace page does not mention this, of course. She is also arguing in court that her sentence is cruel and unusual. Looks like she's doing okay to us.

Defendant: Samuel Puebla (17)
Victim: Valerie Zavala
Crimes: First degree murder, attempted rape and felony murder
Crime date: January 1, 2003 in Fillmore, California

Summary
Samuel Puebla attempted to rape a college student whom he met at a party and, when she resisted, beat her head and chest before strangling her to death with his bare hands.

FROM THE JUVENILE LIFERS THEMSELVES

The Journals of Nathan Ybanez, Colorado JLWOPer

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4082834,00.html
 

Erik Jensen's The Next Day Foundation

http://nextdayfoundation.org/ERIK-JENSEN-STORY.html

Willie Bosket Story on a Blog

http://canyoumeasurejustice.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-than-20-years-in-solitary.html - Willie has been in prison virtually non-stop since the age of 9 for acts of violence one after another

News Stories About Juvenile Killers

Florida couple's brutal and high profile slaying included 16 year old offender who will be charged as adult

California Gang Member sentenced to death, but one of his murder cases, committed at 17 is not included

Front Page Chicago Tribune coverage of Kenosha, Wisconsin case: 14/15 year old cousins face life for killing a woman who had already faced great tragedy in her life and was active with "The Compassionate Friends", a leading national victim organization.

More on the Wisconsin woman murdered by two juvenile killers facing LWOP

A Greenville killer now faces the Death Penalty and broken families left behind all because when he shot people as a teen he was not tried and treated as an adult.

A 13 year old on trial for murder could face life in New York

Notorious Outlook Killer is seeking bail

Tiffany Long case

Teen to be free soon

Youth Radio coverage

Christine Paolila found guilty

Mother of victim testifies in Virginia

Merced Teen who kills Infant avoids Life Sentence

Annapolis. MD teen killer escapes life sentence

Victims Families devastated that vehicular homicide teen killers walk free

Greenville Teen rapes and murders 8 year old

Jonesboro shooter is sentenced

8 year old who shoots his father makes national headlines especially in how he is interrogated

Had the offender been treated more seriously as a juvenile, would he have killed as an adult?

Florida Teen charged as adult in school shooting

Chicago media figure's parents brutally murdered by two teens in Indiana

People Magazine on David Biro

Hate Crime Kills Family Member of Previous Juvenile Killing Case - and another article
      Ed Note - the victim in this case is the cousin by marriage of a family in Chicago whose 13 year old son was killed by an Illinois Juvenile Lifer - how much more can one family bear?

17 YEAR OLD VIOLENT OFFENDER RELEASED EARLY FROM 95 YEAR SENTENCE "BECAUSE OF HIS AGE" LATER KILLS FOUR POLICE OFFICERS
Teen convicted of four murders in Rochester, NY

PETITION SITES:

In trying to get relief for Moishe Turner, a 15 year old who witnessed the murder of a drug dealer and was sent to adult prison (July 2005 in Abilene, TX.), a group (POPULAR) is requesting a petition be signed to show support of this cause. As many minors in Texas and other states, Moishe had never been in trouble and there was NO evidence linking him to the shooting. No fingerprint, no DNA, no gunpowder residue on his hands or clothes and no constitutional rights for another US citizen, yet we were railroaded by a highly paid attorney we hired. Our son was coerced/threatened into a 30 year plea behind our back! He had maintained his innocence for two years while he was kept locked in adult jail for approximately 2 years with no bail.
Please take a couple of minutes to electronically note your presence to POPULAR's web page. View the page to familiarize yourself with what this group is trying to accomplish.
But above all, help break down the wall.....
I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:

"Help POPULAR Tear Down The Wall Of Poverty!"

http://www.popular4people.org/Tear_Down.html
 

Stories that show the Continued Dangers of Violent Teens and Cases where Juvenile Killers get out early

 

Juvenile Lifer in Illinois Released on technicality only to kill again, now faces the death penalty

 

This story, while not a JLWOP case, made national headlines calling attention to the violence and horrific crime that teens are capable of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy-LEnWg-3Q&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffreemenow%2Ewordpress%2Ecom%2F2009%2F06%2F13%2Fwhose%2Ddaughter%2Dtomorrow%2F&feature=player_embedded

**********************************

Police: Ark. school shooter applied for gun permit

Associated Press - December 11, 2008 3:43 AM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Police in Arkansas say a man who helped gun down four middle school students and a teacher when he was a child has applied for a concealed-carry permit under a different name. Andrew Golden's application was filed under the name of Drew Grant. The application was denied. Golden listed a home address 55 miles from the city of Jonesboro, where he and a classmate lured students into gunfire in 1998 during a fake fire drill. Golden was 11 at the time.

Golden changed his name after his release from prison last year. A judge has barred lawyers from releasing Golden's new name or home address. Red flags were raised by the fingerprints provided during the application process and authorities say there are several other reasons why Golden's application was rejected. Investigators are determining if inaccuracies listed in the rejected application warrant criminal charges.

 

17 year old violent offender paroled early from a 95 year sentences "because of his age" murders
four police officers in Washington

November 30, 2009

Maurice Clemmons, 37, fatally shot four officers near Tacoma, Washington.

UPDATE December 1 - Clemmons is shot and killed by police after eluding the police

Seattle, Washington (CNN) (selections from the story)-- A suspect in the shooting deaths of four police officers was not found in an east Seattle home where authorities had tracked him, police said Monday. Clemmons is sought in connection with what police called an "ambush" Sunday morning at a coffee shop near Tacoma in Pierce County. Four Lakewood police officers -- three men and a woman -- were shot to death. Authorities identified the victims as Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Officer Ronald Owens, 37; Officer Tina Griswold, 40; and Officer Greg Richards, 42. All four had been with the department since its inception, and all of them were parents.

The night before the shootings, Clemmons had threatened to kill police officers, but witnesses did not report those threats till after the slayings, Troyer told ABC's "Good Morning America." Clemmons, 37, is a convicted criminal with a long rap sheet. He was recently charged in Pierce County in an assault on a police officer and rape of a child, according to a statement from the sheriff's department. Clemmons was given a 95-year prison sentence in Arkansas in 1989 for a host of charges, including robberies, burglaries, thefts and bringing a gun to school. His sentence was commuted in 2000 by then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, said Troyer. Huckabee, a Republican presidential candidate in 2008, is considering a run for president in 2012. "Should [Clemmons] be found responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington state," Huckabee's office said in a statement Sunday night.

Huckabee cited Clemmons' young age -- 17 at the time of his sentencing -- when he announced his decision to commute the sentence, according to newspaper articles.

"It was not something I was pleased with at the time," said Larry Jegley, who prosecuted Clemmons for aggravated robbery and other charges in Pulaski County, Arkansas. "I would be most distressed if this is the same guy." Huckabee's office said Clemmons' commutation was based on the recommendation of the parole board that determined that he met the conditions for early release. He was arrested later for parole violation and taken back to prison to serve his full term, but prosecutors dropped the charges that would have held him," the statement said. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper reported that a year after his release, Clemmons was arrested for aggravated robbery and theft. He was taken back to prison for parole violation. But, said the paper, he was not served with the arrest warrants for the robbery and theft charges until he left prison three years later, in 2004. His attorney argued the charges should be dismissed because too much time had passed by then. Prosecutors dropped the charges. Clemmons is thought to have moved to Washington that year, and for a while ran a pressure-washing and landscaping business. The license for the business expired last month, according to the secretary of state's office, with which businesses have to register. In recent months, Clemmons has displayed increasingly erratic behavior, the Seattle Times reported. In May, he punched a sheriff's deputy in the face, the paper said. In another incident, he had relatives undress, telling them families need to be "naked for at least five minutes on Sunday," the newspaper said, citing a sheriff's department incident report. Clemmons also believed he was Jesus and could fly, a deputy wrote, based on conversations with family members. After serving several months in jail on a pending charge of second-degree rape of a child, Clemmons was released on bond six days ago, according to the Seattle Times. Sunday's shooting was the first for the Lakewood police department, which was created five years ago for the town of nearly 60,000. Until then, the Pierce County sheriff's office provided law enforcement services there. The four officers were awaiting the start of their shift at a coffee shop that's a popular hangout for law enforcement officers. They were in uniform and had marked patrol cars parked outside. The shop is in Parkland, an unincorporated community just south of Lakewood and about 10 miles from Tacoma.  The attack occurred without warning. The shooter walked past the officers to the counter as if to order coffee before he pulled the gun out of his coat and opened fire at 8:15 a.m., the sheriff's office said. Two of the officers were "executed" as they sat at a table, said Troyer, the sheriff's spokesman. Another was shot when he stood up and the fourth was shot after struggling with the gunman all the way out the door, Troyer said. Two baristas and other customers inside the shop were unharmed. "Just the law enforcement officers were targeted," Troyer said, calling the shooting an ambush."There's not going to be a big motive other than he was upset about being incarcerated and was going to go gunning after cops in general," Troyer told reporters on Monday.

 

NOVJL Commentary on the Maurice Clemmons case:
This is exactly the reason that we believe parole is an unreliable system that endangers the public. Our organization is standing nationally this tragic day with our warnings vindicated but with more sadness than words can say, especially for the orphaned children of the murdered police officers.

 

 

CLAIMS OF INNOCENCE in JLWOP Cases
 

Ed Note: We at NOVJL are just publishing stories that are sent to us and we do not take a stand one way or other on the specific innocence claims of some JLWOP offenders because we cannot know the facts of these cases - only courts of law can make these determinations. We however know that in principle there are innocent people serving sentences in America's prisons. We know this is a fact across the criminal justice system, and so we completely recognize it may be true under cases of JLWOP as well:

Illinois news story April 2009 - AUG 2009 UPDATE - Mark Clements released on a plea deal.
Attorneys for Mark Clements, who has been imprisoned since 1981 when h was 16 years old, moved today for the appointment of Special State's Attorney Stuart A. Nudelman  to represent the State’s position in Clements post conviction proceeding,  The motion was filed before Cook County Criminal Courts Chief Judge Paul Biebel, who last week appointed Nudelman, a retired judge, to take over the state’s cases in instances of alleged torture of defendants by detectives working under now retired Commander Jon Burge. The motion will be heard and may be argued before Judge Biebel at 9:00 am Tuesday in Courtroom 101 at 26th and California. In their motion  Attorneys for Clements state that the appointment is necessary because “Detective Daniel McWeeny, who Clements alleges participated directly in eliciting Clements' false confession through psychological and physical abuse, and who has been the subject of numerous similar claims of systematic coercion, was subsequently employed by the Cook County State’s Attorney as an investigator for over a decade, until 2007.”  The attorneys note, “McWeeny's integral role in the systematic torture that occurred throughout the 1980s and 1990s in Area 2 and Area 3 Chicago Police Headquarters exacerbates the potential conflict” which should prohibit the State’s Attorney from defending this case.   “McWeeny not only worked for the [Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO)] while Clements' post-conviction case was being litigated … but McWeeny also worked for the CCSAO when this Court held that Devine's potential conflict extended to the entire CCSAO.” Clements was arrested and beaten until he confessed to an arson murder in which four people died in 1981.  He was 16 years old and could not read or write.  There was no material evidence linking Clements to the crime, and investigators have now learned who the actual perpetrators were. For an updated fact sheet on the frame-up of Mark Clements and the case, please go to http://www.naarpr.org/node/4