Chapter 5
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12:48 pm
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Bill and I returned to the station. Earl Turner, Pierce, Daniel and Gregory had all asked for lawyers, by law we couldn't question them. Because Turner was a suspect in multiple rapes, and one homicide, we were able to take some of his DNA. Most of the juveniles would soon be released to the custody of their parents, I would have preferred to take a shower to get the stench of tobacco off me, but I would have to wait until I got home.
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2:16 pm
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Many angry parents had come to pick up their juvenile children. Most were angry at their children for skipping school, going to a smokeasie, getting arrested. One parent, Brenda, was particularly upset, and demanded to speak with me.
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Brenda: You arrested my 13 year old daughter Reese?
Joe; We did not arrest her, we brought her to the station. We couldn't very well leave her there. We also wanted to make sure you knew about programs to wean her off tobacco. I assure you she will not have a criminal record, neither her school nor her future employers will have access to the fact she was brought in.
Brenda: Was it neccessary to treat her like a common criminal?
Joe: For some this is a wake up call, but not for everyone. Ten years ago when we busted a smokeasie there was another 13 year old girl there, her name was Maggie. Her mother also reacted, the way you're reacting now. Didn't think it was a big deal, that experimenting with tobacco was a normal part of teenage rebellion. Problem was, Maggie thought she could get away with more. At 14 she was caught shoplifting. Again, her mother didn't take it seriously, her lawyer got Maggie probation and community service. It's a good program, and a lot of kids do go straight because of it, but Maggie's mom didn't think it was a big deal, made excuses when she slacked off on community service. At 16 Maggie got a part time job, paid minimum wage, not enough for all the things she wanted. So she stole from the register, got caught, and served three months in juvenile hall. She could have turned her life around, but once she got out she thought she could handle real prison. She could have gone to college, but she still hadn't learned to take responsibility for her actions. At 18 Maggie got her hands on a gun. All the guns we've taken off the street, that one slipped through the cracks. Maggie robbed the store where she used to work, later said she panicked, that she didn't plan to shoot anyone, but her former boss was dead just the same. Maggie was tried, convicted, sentenced to death. Last November Radja Duric was elected president of the United States, and he campaigned by promising, among other things, to abolish the death penalty. Some tried to execute as many Death Row inmates as possible before that happened, but the Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional to execute people early merely because of who won the election. So a lot of those facing execution pleaded to be executed, that they'd rather be dead than live in prison forever. Maggie was executed by firing squad on January 19th 2061, one of the last executions to take place thus far. We don't have the death penalty anymore in this country, but we do have life without possibility of parole. I'm not saying that Reese will end up like Maggie, but perhaps scaring her straight wasn't the worst thing. I understand how you feel, me and my fiancee just adopted a baby girl, yesterday she turned 3 months old. If she ever got in trouble ofcourse I would want her to be shown some leniency. But I would also try to talk some sense into her, try and show her how bad things can get if she doesn't straighten up.
Brenda: I see your point. Was she in a cell?
Joe: No.
Brenda: Do parents still ask officers to let their delinquent children see the inside of a cell?
Joe: Some, but not nearly enough.
Brenda: Could you do that for her, I mean isolated from the general population of a prison.
Joe: I can, with your written permission. Would an hour be sufficient?
Brenda: That's fine.
Joe: Just remember, the first trip is free, the second one will cost her.
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3:30 pm
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Brenda brought Reese back up to see us. Reese was visibly shaken by the experience.
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Reese: That cell, I didn't think it was like that.
Joe: What did you think it was like?
Reese: I guess I didn't really think about it. You don't have to save me a room, I won't be back, I promise.
Joe: Glad to hear it.
