Summary:

In February 2009, an 11-year-old boy named Jordan Brown was charged with first degree murder for the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and criminal homicide for her 8 months old unborn child. He was the son of Christopher Brown, fiance of victim Kenzie Houk. Police and investigators claim Jordan used a youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun, that was given to him as a gift from his father for Easter for hunting purposes. His young age during the time of his arrest challenged the judicial system. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in May, however, was originally tried as an adult, ruled guilty, and sent to life in prison without parole. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the ruling and stated he should have been tried as a juvenile. When the case went back to the court he was still found guilty but sent to juvenile rehabilitation treatment facility. On June 13, 2016 Jordan was released from juvenile custody and remains under probation until he’s 21. 

Sources: http://www.hoover.org/research/crime-and-punishment-minors

 

Miller v. Alabama (2012) involved a 14-year-old boy who drank and used drugs with a neighbor and other friends. Once intoxicated, they robbed the neighbor and beat him with a baseball bat. They then left the scene, although soon returning to cover up their crimes. They set fire to the trailer, which caused the neighbor to die of smoke inhalation. Miller was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as part of an Alabama Law. This case was taken to the Supreme Court, and the conclusion withheld the 8th Amendment disagrees with life sentences without parole for minors. Instead, it is up to the court to determine the sentences, taking the nature of the crime, the age, and any other factors, into account.

Shirley Katherine Wolf (14 years old) and Cindy Lee Collier (15 years old) murdered an 85 years old woman "just for fun". Wolf and Collier came to old woman house and ask to if they can come in and use the phone because there is a stranger following them. The old woman let them in. Later Carl (old woman son) came and found his mother dead. After police investigation they found to Colliers house. The girls didn't try to hide it and claim that they did it "it was very fun". Later on police found that Wolf are living in a family with abuse. That is why she think it is normal to kill the old woman. Both of the teen is sentenced 8 year in prison. After Collier is released she lived a normal life. But Wolf is still having problem with the law for a time.

Craig Sorger was found murdered on February 15, 2003 stabbed to death by his two “friends”.  Evan Savoie and Jake Eakin were only 12-years-old when they brutally killed a mildly autistic Soger. The two boys armed with a pocket knife in their pocket knocked on the door of 13-year-old Craig Soger asking his mom if he can play. Soon, night fell and Craig had not returned and his mom grew worrisome knowing her son was afraid of the dark. After she learned the two boys returned home hours earlier, she knew something was wrong. 

 The police were called and Craig was soon found on a trail, dead with his head smashed in. Later autopsy reports show that he was stabbed 34 times. The two boys denied any involvement in the crime but, DNA testing proved blood was found on the t-shirt of Savoie. The two boys changed their story multiple times and Savoie was convicted of first degree murder with Eakin being convicted of second degree murder.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boys-next-door-22-07-2005/

Joseph Hall v. California 

In this case 10 year old Joseph hall shot and killed his abusive Neo-Nazi father Jeffrey Hall. Earlier in the day the father had threatened to remove all the fire slams and burn the house down and with his family inside, later that day into the early morning Joseph hall grabbed a .357 revolver off his fathers shelf and shot his father at 4 a.m. as Hall slept on his couch in there Riverside home. The boy then waived his miranda rights while in police custody without a lawyer or legal guardians council. The juvenile stated his “motivation for the killing was an episode of Criminal Minds, where he claimed he saw a kid shoot his abusive father and did not face any consequences for it.” Joseph believed that his father would come back alive and they could reconcile but he was sadly mistaken when he was charged and convicted of second degree murder. Introduced in February, Joseph halls case conviction led to the creation of he Senate Bill 1052, it would require “those younger than 18 to first consult with an attorney or a legal guardian before they're allowed to waive their Miranda rights — and before they're interrogated by a police officer.” The Hall v. California case also aired on the national television show 60 minutes.