Criminal case of Florida vs Jamarco Stafford - Term Paper Example

? Criminal Case of Florida vs. Jamarco Stafford The rates of teen murders have highly increased in the modern times where either mental instability or disorder are found to cause teenagers to become violent and kill others under the influence of uncontrolled emotions, or lack of proper teaching and discipline leading to preplanned murders caused from wrong self concepts or inappropriate interactions with the world. This report presents a study, the base of which is a case study of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams where two closest of friends have been found to kill each others’ brothers. The report has conducted a study on the different theories related to teen murders and associated them in the current study to have an idea on the causes compelling young kids to commit murders and try to determine probable solutions to predict and prevent such acts among the teenagers. Introduction: The case of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams reflect a phase in the lives of human beings where crime seems to have taken a major role in changing an entire scenario of a family from happiness to a shattered stage of living. The families of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams could be realized to be in such a stage after they lost their children and faced their other children spending days and nights in jail. Murder being a heinous and harsh crime has been found to encounter several laws and charges. Yet, the society seems to be unable to control human beings from taking up such dreadful measures. Particularly, in the modern times, the younger generation seems to be more violent in nature and getting involved in incidents of murders (Holinger, 1994, p.21) as in the case of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams also get presented. The story of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams presents a case where these two friends who were extremely close friends, growing up together, attending places and events together, eventually betrayed each other when both killed each other’s brothers. Adams had killed the brother of Stafford on demand of a gun. The resistances on the earlier murder created confrontations that led to a second murder of Lavoris Adams who was the brother of James, by Stafford. The incident shattered the lives of these two families and the two young kids had to spend their lives in jail. The incidents were shocking and unexpected since these two kids had grown up together and were the closest of friends (Lebovich, n.d.). In the recent years murders or killing by adolescents have rapidly increased in rate. This has eventually created difficulties for “law enforcement personnel”, as well as other people who are involved in the social or health welfare of common people, the educators, members of families and the peer groups (Heckel & Shumaker, 2001, p.xix). Particularly in cases of adolescent killings it becomes highly difficult to judge the causes behind the act. The young generations are unable to explain their thoughts, their reasons, and are confusing and unaware of the consequences of such actions. Many times they attempt such acts from utter immaturity and impatience (Heckel & Shumaker, 2001, p.xix). Criminal laws are also applicable on the adolescents who execute such heinous crimes. In fact, the number of prisoners from adolescents seems to be rising more than adult prisoners. Juvenile murderers are also treated like adults since laws have now initiated measures not to be partial in such cases, instead criminals should tried as made by the law. The adolescents who have been found to be involved in murders reflect that the number of males in the records is much higher than there are females in the same record (Worell, 2001, p.617). Criminal law and its theories are highly significant in the context of adolescent killing. It has been observed that a criminal law theory may be different from other laws thus making the criminal law theory a unique theory in its context (Moore, 2010, p.8). In most cases the causes of a crime would not be able to be explained by common people. However, several researchers have conducted studies to understand why a person kills someone, and formulated their own theories (Lilly, Ball & Cullen, 2010, p.3). The different theories related to the criminal activities include Deterrence and Rationale Choice Theories Biological Theories, Psychological theories, Social Learning theory, Social bonding and control theories, Labeling theory, Social disorganization, anomaly and strain theories, Conflict theories, Marxist and critical theories, Feminist theories, and Integrating criminological theories. The five dimensions of analysis that are highly associated with the theory of criminological activity include the nature and behavior of human, the society and the order of the society, the role of law citing the definition of crime and representation of the criminal, the casual logic, and implications of criminal justice. These dimensions reflect an understanding of the position of the theories of criminal activity; hence categorize their features in the explanation of the causes and purposes behind the occurrence of the crime as well as any prevention measures that may be taken to put an end to such crimes (Einstadter & Henry, 2006, pp.4-5). This report primarily focuses on the use of theory in the understanding of the case mentioned in the report relating the theories with the occurrences and consequences of the murders, as well as trying to sort out any measure in which these theories could be used to prevent such murders or heinous activities particularly among the young generation. Etiology: Several studies have been conducted to determine the reasons that may cause an adolescent to kill a person and commit such an atrocious crime like murder. In many cases it has been observed that young people who are addicted to drugs often attempt to commit such crimes. It may be the case that these people do not have their emotions and feelings in their control. The influence of alcohol or drugs often tends to engage themselves in such heinous crimes without realizing the consequences (Milkman & Wanberg, 2005, p.79). Also, many times the environment at homes may also be responsible for the aggressive behavior of the children, lack of patience and understanding, lower self esteems that may lead an individual to kill others; a mental state arising from frustration or jealousy or any kind of depression. Teenage boys are more often found to be involved in attempting murders than teenage girls. This is primarily owing to the differences in the hormones as well as the differences in the manners in which a child is brought up by his/her parents. Males have been found to be more prone to hostility than the females as they have less control over their emotions. However, it has been observed that adolescents who actually murder other teenagers do not often intend to do so. Rather, their uncontrollable rage and anger compel them to take such measures. The circumstances may be completely spontaneous and nothing decided or thought of form beforehand. Males are more found to spend less time with their families that could provide them with the emotional control and make them mentally stable, unlike the cases with the female children who spend more times with the family members and receive the due care that teach them how to stay controlled with their emotions and activities and control their rage or anger as well (Margolis, 1999, p.19). It is also quite surprising to learn that all young men or children do not get involved in the activities or actions of crimes or violence. Several instances reflect that children grow up and lead their lives without being involved in any violent acts. To this, many experts believe that there could be some biological aspects causing the violent acts in some of the young children while others remain unaffected. According to these expert scientists, the tendency to attempt crimes is passed from the parents to their children. It may not mean that such a child would commit a murder without fail but the tendency to attempt such crimes has been found to be more in such children whose parents have a criminal record (Margolis, 1999, p.20). Also, studies have observed that in most cases where teenagers commit murders suffer from some damage or disorders in their brains. Such teens have been found to lack in the level of intelligence and also possess poor skills of verbal ability. A study conducted on such an issue and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry presented the cases of 14 young men involved in teen murders. All of them were found to possess damage in their brains and difficulties in learning or adapting different activities. Moreover, these children were not even treated or counseled properly (Margolis, 1999, p.20-21). It can be realized in this circumstance that a child who has difficulties in learning and understanding and is unable to live a normal life may get frustrated with his life leading to uncontrolled rage and anger within in his mind. This anger may come out in the form of violent acts and murders without even realizing the consequences. Joe Schillaci, a Miami homicide detective, mentioned, “Teens kill because of the darkness in their hearts, and they have accepted violence as normal behavior” (Chalmers, 2009, p.15). All the above mentioned reasons could be associated with the case of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams where the murders have been found to have taken place without any prior planning. Both the murders have occurred on an instant rage or anger that overcame the two friends and caused the murders of their brothers. It can be understood that both the murders could not have taken place had the two friends been normal. If mental illness was not a cause, or if their families did not have a criminal lifestyle, then reasons that could be attributes to this case might include the lack of proper guidance and discipline within the family or the level of shortages that may be prevailing in their homes that could have caused frustrations in their minds. Moreover, it can be realized that even though they were young kids, they had the access to lethal weapons which assisted them in their operations. Thus several reasons may be attributable to murders taking place among young kids. Prediction and Prevention: If the different causes behind the teen murders can be understood, then such criminal and violent activities may be able to be predicted and hence prevented from occurrence. This process may be facilitated by having knowledge on the different theories related to the murders among teens and young generation. If the criminological theory related to teen murders is considered it may be realized that young children tend to fantasize different actions and their uncontrolled emotions tend to support their fantasy towards violent actions at times. Studies reflect that frustrations in the minds of young kids prevalent for a long time often lead to violent acts (Turvey, 2011, p.530). Thus if children can be prevented from getting frustrated and isolated from their families, violent acts may also be prevented. According to the rational choice and deterrence theory, human beings tend to violate laws and involve in criminal activities only when they believe that they have a personal choice to accomplishment which according to them is rational. This is also supported if there are no rules or punishments for the violent acts that human beings believe to be rational for their personal choice (Rational Choice and Deterrence Theory, 2005). Thus this theory clearly implies that severe punishments as deterrent needs to be applicable that might prevent such heinous activities. Biological and psychological theories related to crimes focus on the fact that young children who attempt the crimes of murder are themselves not responsible for the acts (Siegel, 2009, p.102). These theories imply that biological and psychological disorders in a child may help to predict any kind of abnormality and accordingly take measures to care and prevent any dreadful acts that the young kid may adopt in future. According to social learning theory, aggressive actions are enhanced with support within a family through “modeling and reinforcement” (Helgeson, 2006, p.213). This reflects the fact that violent activities among young children might be prevented to a large extent if parents take care of not supporting aggressive behavior and actions and hence keep their children away from such actions. According to theorists, social bonding theory can no more explain the causes of such heinous acts among young kids. The primary reason for such murders has been observed to be the lack of self control (Geis & Bienen, 1998, p.37). The labeling theory emphasizes on the self concept of human beings that may force him towards criminal acts. Such concepts may also be associated with the interactions of the young kids with different people including police and other legal systems that may have significant impacts on their activities (Vito, Maahs & Holmes, 2006, p.177). Thus these theories imply that the criminal activities of young children are possible to predict particularly by the family members who are supposed to be close associations with them. Their self concepts and their interactions with the world, if studied, can provide with an understanding of their mental status. Once the mental status is understood, controlling measures may be taken to prevent crimes to occur by them. According to the strain theory as provided by Merton, goals are established by the societies that compel human beings to take measures to strive in better manners than others. While they tend to achieve their needs societies also form blockades for them that on the other hand enforce them to involve in crimes (Samaha, 2005, p.88). Thus the societies can also be found to be indirectly responsible in compelling young kids who might have their own demands that are restricted by the society, to get indulged in committing dreadful crimes. The conflict theory has significant relevance in the context since it throws light on a certain section of people forming laws based on their preferences that might negatively impact other sections of people who then tend to become violent in nature (Vito, Maahs & Holmes, 2006, p.217). The Marxist and critical theories have been associated with the power and domination that crimes indulge human beings into. These two attributes are often misused by human beings, and now the young generation, in achieving their objectives leading to criminal acts in most cases (Winfree & Abadinsky, 2009, p.279). The feminist theories focus on an understanding of the relation between males and females in a society and the impacts that such relationships might have on criminal activities to occur. It also stresses on the society’s ignorance of the views and opinions of the women (Cote, 2002, p.230). Studies have also revealed that in order to prevent the crimes of murders, particularly among the young children, an integration of both the theories of crime and of criminal behavior are needed to understand the actual circumstances of the murderer and the reason based on which he may commit the crime (McLaughlin & Newburn, 2010, p.176). Recommended Criminal Justice Responses: Each of the theories related to the crimes and as discussed in the previous section, occurring in the form of murder and by the young generation in the modern times, present certain suggestions or recommendations that might be useful in prevention of such heinous acts. The different theories clearly present the facts that the young children who are involved in criminal activities are not themselves entirely responsible for their actions. Their families, the level of aggressions, the society, the biological and psychological issues, the levels of conflicts all together tend to compel a human being or a young child to commit such crimes. The theories therefore have recommended that in order to treat the mental instability and the uncontrolled rage and anger among the young generation, they should be properly treated and counseled. Moreover, utmost care and responsibility need to be taken by the parents of these children who are most capable of focusing and spending time with their children. Also, theorists strictly believe that severe punishments are necessary to be applied in the cases of murders, even if they are acted upon by young people. This is primarily because if strict punishments are absent, it would more indulge and encourage the young people to fearlessly involve in committing such crimes. The society also needs to be equally responsible in taking appropriate measures such that they do not become indirectly accountable for their involvement in crimes. Depending on the nature of the murder, legal justice systems may decide on the level of punishment that may be provided to the murderers. For instance, murders may occur under preplanning or they might be on a fit of rage or anger or uncontrolled emotions and not intended. Thus when a murder is a planned one, the degree of punishment is much higher and severe in comparison to murders that are not premeditated (Heide, 1999, p.53). The case in the given study presents a situation where both the murders have not been preplanned. They occurred spontaneously through uncontrolled emotions and anger. Thus if punishments are considered for these two friends who committed the murders, severity of the punishment could be less. In this case, death penalty or life imprisonment would be too severe a punishment for the crime they committed or the intentions involved in it. Moreover, their families also do not show any criminal records, or any aggressive performance that may be held responsible for their children to be able to commit such acts. Hence, a preferable and suitable action in this case would be to arrange for supervision measures on them and undergo biological and psychological examinations on them to determine whether they are the victims of any kind of mental disorder or abnormality. If any abnormality is obtained then appropriate treatment measures need to be adopted. This step is essential to be undertaken since a mental disorder, if remain untreated, can be expected to harm others in the future as well. The different theories, particularly the social learning theory, the biological and psychological theory, the social bonding and control theories, the labeling theories and the conflict theories also reflect the importance of proper treatment and counseling of people and young kids who are involved in such criminal activities. Considering these theories in the assessment and evaluation of these two cases of murders, it can be observed and related to an extent to decide on the punishments or treatments that need to be undertaken. Thus the criminal justice system in this case instead of taking any harsh or severe measures against these two friends, should instruct for such measures to be followed that might determine the actual causes behind their committing such crimes. Determining the actual reasons is necessary in this context since if a mental disorder remains unattended, it may cause more severe harms in the future. Since the murders have been observed to be under the action of uncontrolled emotions and anger, the legal system should arrange primarily for understanding the root causes leading to such consequences. If the intentions are found to be premeditated and entirely planned with intentions to kill, then death penalty or life imprisonment could be made applicable as a severe form of punishment to make them as well as the society realize the consequence of such criminal activities. Conclusion: In the modern times, the rates of crimes have been found to be rising at an increasing rate. Particularly, the young teenagers are all the more getting involved in acts of crimes without even realizing the effects and consequences of such acts on their lives. The current study was mainly dealt with the murders occurred in the case of Jamarco Stafford and James Adams where two close friends killed each others’ brothers under fits of anger and rage. Such incidents present a need to understand the situations under which young kids may get compelled to attempt such crimes. Different theorists have presented their views and opinions on such heinous activities and associated the teen murders with several theories as have been discussed in the report. These theories clearly indicate that the young kids are themselves not only responsible for the crimes they commit. Rather, their families, parents, the environment in their homes, their nurture and bringing up as well as the society to a great extent are responsible in compelling young kids to take such measures. A major reason that has been observed is related to the biological and psychological disorders or difficulties that might negatively impact a young child and at times create frustrations in their minds, leading to violent acts. What could be assessed from the case study as well as the different theories formulated based in teen murders, it can be analyzed and concluded that there is a significant need for the society and the parents of such children to address the issues that disturb their mental stability and normality and make them daring enough to commit crimes like killing of person. Identifying the main causes could facilitate in predicting and preventing several such cases of teen murders in the society. While some theorists blame the parents and the home environment being aggressive as being the main cause for the teenagers to learn to become violent; others are concerned with the damage in the brains that might be a major cause of concern affecting the actions of the victims. The level of punishments is also decided depending on the intentions and severity of the murder. If a murder occurs by the execution of a pre planning process then the murder is considered to be a much bigger offence and hence the degree of punishment is also much higher in comparison to the murder that a young child commits out of anger, rage and uncontrolled emotions. However, it can be understood and concluded that in order to prevent teen murders, two things would be mostly required to be performed- one being the understanding of the biological and psychological disorders, if any, and accordingly taking measures to treat them, and secondly to arrange for strict punishment measures that could provide a fear in the minds of the teenagers to attempt such crimes. Such measures accompanied by proper knowledge on the different theories can be expected to reduce the rates of teen murders to some extent that is possible. References 1) Chalmers, P. (2009). Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc 2) Cote, S. (2002). 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