SuppliedUsually, when you think of minors, your first thoughts do not go to attempted murder. Except, some minors do commit violent crimes like attempted murder. In fact, four Alberta youth are currently suspected of committing that exact crime.
On September 7 around 9:00 p.m., an individual called 911 from near Westlock after they found an 18-year-old girl who’d been brutally attacked. She suffered life-threatening injuries and, fortunately survived. As of October 1, police identified four suspects and charged three of them. But the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) prohibits the release of their names. Many people took issue with this considering the brutality of the crime. Why should this act protect them? Rather, the priority should be protecting the public and holding youth accountable for severe crimes.
The YCJA’s purpose is to “prevent youth crime and hold young people accountable for their actions in ways that protect the public.” It aims to protect both the youth and public in order to allow the “rehabilitation and reintegration” of the youth into society. Section 110 of the YCJA prohibits any person from publishing the name or other information of a young person who has committed a crime.
The intent behind withholding names from the public is to allow youth to grow from their mistakes without it following them for entire adult lives. This is all well and good for crimes such as petty theft or vandalism. It becomes a concern in cases like the attempted murder of the 18-year-old woman. The woman was found with multiple stab wounds, severe lacerations, and gashes. One of the witnesses who found her described the scene as something out of a “horror movie.” Had they not found her, she likely would not have survived. The justice system shouldn’t protect those charged with attempted murder from public scrutiny, even if they are underage.
It would also be concerning if they weren’t tried as adults. If they’re tried as minors and found guilty, future employers wouldn’t have access to their criminal records. This is alarming considering the severity of the crime. If they are convicted, it’d be unfair and reckless to let them off without proper and long lasting consequences for their actions. You are never too young to understand that harming others, specifically to the extent of attempted murder, is wrong.
Along with the attempted murder, police charged the three youths with aggravated assault, robbery, and possession of a weapon. In light of all these charges, the police and the courts should not try the youths under the YCJA. It’s especially dangerous when, as of October 30, police had not found one of the four suspects. If the suspects were adults, police would have released their descriptions and taken precautions for the public’s safety. Except, that individual was essentially allowed to wander freely.
The YCJA should be waived in these instances. Being young does not excuse attempted murder, nor does it warrant lighter punishments or differential treatment. It would be entirely unjust if the four youths were not tried as adults and their names continue to be withheld. In a case like this, protection of the public must come first.
