Jonesboro Massacre |
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From Wikipedia The Jonesboro school massacre occurred on Tuesday, March 24, 1998, in Craighead County, Arkansas, near northwestern Jonesboro. Four female students and a teacher were killed, and nine other students and a teacher were wounded, by two armed middle school boys: Mitchell Johnson, age 13, and Andrew Golden, age 11. On the morning of the massacre the boys, both dressed in army-style camoflagued clothes, stole a van from Johnson's home, and after loading it with camping supplies, food, and 7 weapons (including two semi-automatic rifles, one bolt-action rifle and four handguns) which had been stolen from their Grandfather's house. Shooters
Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson both came from divorced families. Mitchell's mother had remarried an inmate at the prison where she was a guard. Mitchell reportedly had a good relationship with his stepfather and siblings. Adults who knew him described him as quiet and respectful. He faithfully attended church and sang in choir. However, his fellow students told a different story about a darker side. They said he was a braggart and a bully. He talked of wanting to belong to gangs and smoke marijuana. He also spoke of "having a lot of killing to do" and a bitter grudge against Shannon Wright. People who knew Andrew Golden also describe a darker side. He had once reportedly shot a classmate in the face with a pellet gun. There were reports that he had killed a playmate's cat and placed it in a trash can. However, no charges were filed against him. Many psychologists and criminal profilers have pointed out that serial killers often begin by killing animals. An American Justice television show on the case also brought to light the fact that shortly before the shootings, Mitchell had been charged with molesting a little girl during a visit with his father. Even had he not committed the schoolyard massacre, he was facing trial for this alleged offense. DetailsWhen the boys got to the school, Golden set off the fire alarm whilst Johnson took the weapons to the woods near the school. Golden then ran back to the woods where Johnson had taken the weapons. When children and teachers came out of the school, The two boys opened fire, mostly with their rifles. 13 Students and 2 teachers were hit, 5 of whom died. Afterwards they attempted to run back to the van and escape, but were apprehended by police. The two youths were among the youngest ever charged with murder in American history. The Jonesboro prosecutor later admitted that were it not for their ages, he would have sought a death sentence for the pair. In August 1998, they were both sentenced to confinement until they reached the age of 21, the maximum sentence available under Arkansas law. They would have served until only 18 had federal authorities not added additional confinement for weapons charges. Judge Ralph Wilson commented "this is a case where the punishment will not fit the crime". This case led to a wide public outcry for tougher sentencing laws pertaining to juvenile offenders. Since then, the laws regarding young offenders have changed in Arkansas. Had Johnson and Golden committed their crimes several years later, they could have both been charged as adults and imprisoned for life. Mitchell Johnson was released from custody on August 11, 2005, his 21st birthday. Andrew Golden will follow on May 25, 2007. The two will have "clean slates" with no legal restrictions placed upon them and clean criminal records. Many members of the Jonesboro community have since expressed outrage, citing the facts that they will not be placed under any supervision and will be able to legally purchase firearms. Victims killed
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