Judge gives 12-year-old maximum sentence in Augusta murder

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By Dustin Blanchard dblanchard@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Jul 30, 2008 at 9:50 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2008 at 6:02 PM EST

A Richmond County Juvenile Court judge issued the maximum sentence Wednesday to a 12-year-old boy who admitted to taking part in the killing of his neighbor.

In a tear-filled courtroom the boy was sentenced to juvenile detention until he is 21. With good behavior and a GED the juvenile system can release him earlier.

The boy admitted he and Willie Casey robbed, shot and killed Roosevelt Cowins inside his home on Fenwick Street in March. The boy says he was high at the time, after smoking marijuana earlier in the day.

The 12-year-old says Casey shot the victim twice and says he shot him a third time. Casey committed suicide in the Richmond County jail a few days after being arrested.

The boy's mother and grandmother and the victim's sister and fiancé were in court.

The boy’s mother, who was in prison at the time, says she thinks the sentence was too stiff, but she also tells NBC Augusta she sees it as an opportunity to turn her son around.

"College is definitely in his future. I'll make sure it is paid for," said Mother Crystal Jackson, "For Ms. Trent, I can't bring back her brother, but I can make restitution through my son."

Cowins' sister tells NBC Augusta she thinks the sentence was too light, but it is the maximum sentence allowed under Georgia state law. Minors cannot be charged with murder as an adult until age 13.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 7:01 PM Betty wrote ...

An adult gave him weed to get high and yet no blame goes to him. The older guy shot first and was so chicken, he killed himself and let the 12 year old take the wrap. How did he get the gun; probably the older guy. Nobody can say what he will be like when he gets out. It is up to him( a good life or bad one>) Give the boy a chance to decide. I am a white mother and grand; I have more black friends than I do whites. He needs someone to give him a chance to realize where his life can go here after

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:47 AM Ministry Tawana (Christianity ) If you do not have love in your heart you are not a child of G-D wrote ...

We all have sin before G-D My Lord & Savor Jesus Christ And ask for gives and not I'm read comment with no forgive in your heart and soul. The way we pass judgement on our brother /sister black ,white , brown , yellow is the way G-D will judge us meaing you and I .. We have a fell short of His Glory so you beg be very care what you say because can be your child sit in the same chair do not think because you home you know what your children or doing 365 days a year .. Grace & Mecry

5811774 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Aug 1 at 5:11 AM jerry wrote ...

as a covicted lifer for ar and muder. i would like all young men to know that what you do now will follow you the rest of your life. i wish that i had not been apart of my circle. i regreat the life we took. we destroyed our life as well as the victim . i have changed and have been free for 24 years but we could never bring the young man back. until you have had something stole from you you don't know how it feel's to loose it . i'm sorry and i pray for forgiveness.

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Thursday, Jul 31 at 10:45 AM mcdrama wrote ...

Tara, you indicate that putting him behind bars at 12 will make this individual into a criminal. He's already a criminal! because he was high & has many 'issues' is he any less of a criminal? no. there are many people out there under similar circumstances that don't become involved in things of this nature. Yes, sometimes people can be rehabilitated without doing 'jail time', but what are the odds? not that great I believe.

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Thursday, Jul 31 at 8:17 AM Joanna wrote ...

NBC, can you please spell check these comments before posting them? It's making our society look pretty uneducated. :)

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Thursday, Jul 31 at 8:13 AM Joanna wrote ...

I agree w/ GA DAWG. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If you are (wo)man enough to take someone's life, you should be (wo)man enough to accept responsiblity and consequences. If this boys mom had been raising her son right, if at all, he shouldn't have turned down this road. Hopefully, he won't ever kill anyone ever again, but I'm sure he'll be back in jail eventually...

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 9:13 PM Blk,Male,17 wrote ...

If You Are man enough to kill somebody you are old to enough to get life in prision with no possibilite of parole. This man life is gone and never will walk this earth again. The pleanty is to light his mother should be ashame of herself. If sumbody killed he son sdhe would the Worst punishment you can give

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 5:43 PM Xandra wrote ...

I'm black first of all and let me say this. dont come at me talm bout White folks wonna see us in jail anyhow. That boy Shot and killed somebody white folks aint got nuttin to do with that. Black people stop using racism as a way to get outta the stuff you do!!!!!1 Send his tell to Jail. I have a heart and 3 kids who I will raise.

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 4:45 PM Tired of Bleeding Hearts wrote ...

This thug is a murderer. He deserves no compassion. This is not a shoplifting. I seriously doubt that he can be rehabilitated. What will all the bleeding hearts say when he gets out and commits more crime. He has already committed the ultimate crime. There is nothing left for him to graduate to, except multiple-homicide.

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 3:38 PM GA Social Worker wrote ...

Although this sentence seems harsh, I think the judge was right on this one. It's saddens me that this child was exposed to drugs and violence as such a young age. He needs to pay a stiff price to prevent recidivism. Don't you think if he pulls at trigger at 12, he will at 16, and 19, and 21, etc. My only concern is that I hope the judge didn't administer this sentence because the adult perp committed suicide. Hopefully this wasn't to satisfy the family. Ihope he receives extensive counseli

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 12:55 PM GA DAWG wrote ...

I BELIEVE IN AN EYE FOR EYE NO MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE 12 OR 41. IF YOU KILL SOMEBODY YOU SHOULD PAY THE PRICE. AND WHO IS THE MOTHER TO SAY THAT THE PENALTY IS TO STIFF. EVIDENTUALLY SHE CARES NOTHING ABOUT THIS BOY IN ORDER FOR HER HERSELF TO BE LOCKED UP. ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS ITS TIME FOR YOU TO GROW UP AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBLITY. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE SHE SHOULD BE SENT BACK TO PRISON AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HER CHILDS ACTIONS. PARENTS NEED TO RAISE THEIR OWN KIDS INSTEAD OF LETTING THE GOVT DOIT

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 12:55 PM jrp wrote ...

not only was he involved in the killing of one person but did everyone forget about the fact that this is his second violent crime.. how many more people have to be hurt.. the right decision was made..

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 12:14 PM Tara wrote ...

First of all Anonymous, clearly you do not have any sense of compassion. By reading the article above, it is apparent the young man has a #of issues that need to be worked out. A jail sentence at age 12 may in fact turn him into a criminal. Stated above his mother was in prison at the time of the crime. At the age of 12 can you honestly state that he should be put under the jail? I feel intensive counseling is needed. I am a Mental Health Pro & thats my opinion. My heart goes to the family

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 11:59 AM Anonymous wrote ...

How narrow-minded is that? Yes a person died, but does another have to. Apparently somethings are very wrong in this little boys life. He is a child for God's sake. And anyway who are you to judge?

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Wednesday, Jul 30 at 10:07 AM Anonymous wrote ...

PUT HIM UNDER THE JAIL. LET HIM OUT AND HE WILL COMMIT MORE AND MORE CRIMES. 12 YEARS OLD OR NOT, HE MURDERED AN INNOCENT PERSON AND HE SHOULD PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE POSSIBLE FOR HIS CRIME. IF HE IS OLD ENOUGH TO TAKE SOMEONE'S LIFE, HE SURE AS HELL IS OLD ENOUGH TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THE CRIME HE COMMITTED. AGAIN, PUT HIM UNDER THE JAIL !!!!!!

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