Trial in Death of Jesse Strobel

* Re “Man Arrested in Teen’s Slaying May Be Tried in Juvenile Court,” April 9.

What’s wrong with this picture? Jose Castillo, 21, is [charged with] stabbing to death Jesse Strobel, but because he was only 15 at the time of the killing he may be tried in juvenile court, allowing for a lesser sentence. How is this fair?

The law that protects Castillo now was originally designed to protect otherwise good kids who stumbled along the way, not gang members whose very existence is designed to instill fear in the populace. The law needs to be changed and should not apply to fugitives. Castillo had three years before he turned 18 to turn himself in so he could take advantage of the law that protects juveniles. He did not. Instead, he had to be captured.

He should be tried as an adult, as should all gang members, regardless of their age. More and more gang members use underage punks to do their dirty work, knowing that the courts will be more lenient on them.

Enough is enough. Those arguing about poor children being prosecuted as adults should stand back and ask themselves this: Jesse Strobel was only 17 when he was viciously murdered. Does that mean we should be expecting his release from Heaven any day now? No. He’s gone, and the animal who killed him should be put to sleep.

JOHN LARSEN

Port Hueneme

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* Because [murder suspect] Jose Castillo was a juvenile at the time of the slaying of Jesse Strobel he might be prosecuted as a juvenile when he goes to court, even though he is now 21. Because juveniles can be held only until the age of 25, if convicted he might be out in less that four years. Is this justice?

If he were arrested four years from now and tried as a juvenile, would he receive no jail time and walk free with no justice for Mr. Strobel?

Obviously, this logic or system doesn’t work. He should be tried as an adult and, if found guilty, receive the penalty of 25 years to life. Let justice be served.

LARRY BICKMANN

Thousand Oaks