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Today's Poll!Missouri attorney general urges education for Bustamante
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Missouri's attorney general says the 16-year-old girl accused of killing a young neighbor has a right to be educated while awaiting trial.
Alyssa Bustamante is charged as an adult with first-degree murder in last October's death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten near Jefferson City.
A defense lawyer has asked the Missouri Supreme Court to order the Cole County sheriff to let Bustamante continue her education while she remains jailed.
The office of Attorney General Chris Koster filed a brief Monday saying Missouri's laws and constitution guarantee a free public education to all children -- even those expelled from school or convicted of a crime.
The sheriff says Bustamante has access to GED materials like other inmates.
Bustamante has pleaded not guilty.
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Comments
JCLifer 2 years, 6 months ago
She's just a child. She can't vote. She can't own property or enter into legal contracts. She cannot get married on her own. She cannot enter the armed services. She cannot drink or purchase liquor or cigarettes.
Why do they think she should be charged as an adult?
This poor child needs help, not punishment.
local4 2 years, 6 months ago
She is someone who was old enough to kill someone, YES she should be tried as an adult!
jeffersoncityresident 2 years, 6 months ago
jclifer, really just a child. she is not a child. she is a murderer. a child is someone who is innocent and pure in heart. a child is one who does no harm to anything or anyone because they are innocent and pure in heart. This person needs help? You mean this murderer needs punishment and in the strictest way. I am sure that is what you meant.
JCLifer 2 years, 6 months ago
All children are born into sin. No child is "innocent".
This poor little girl had such a horrible family life and poor upbringing that she needs to be taught and to be loved. I feel so sorry for her.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Christians would seek to help, not destroy. I pray for your souls, but I fear they are hardened and lost to the eternal fire.
jeffersoncityresident 2 years, 6 months ago
Oh yeah lifer and by the way she could of done all the smoking and liquiriong up that you mention or even join the armed services oh yeah and get married, had she not killed someone. HELLO
wings2fly 2 years, 6 months ago
I have to agree with jeffersoncityresident. Once a life is taken, all rights within that life have become null and void including the family's rights to witness the beauty, properity and individuality of the victim. Therefore, in my opinion, the same should occur to the criminal. Regardless of age, gender or mentality the consequences should be as severe as the suffering felt by the victim and/or the victim's family. It's a sad truth but it should be a justified truth. Not that you can really justify the punishment for a crime of this nature, but I believe the state should do everything they can to try.
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