Degs, if you were correct on this point "...Their brains are incapable of not being so." then we would have a lot more felons under the age of 18 or so. While they are subject to lapses in judgement and following their impulses, the vast majority stay out of jail.

Most of us were children not so long ago that we cannot recall the experience. Children, reared in an average household learn right from wrong from home and/or community. They know the difference. If they were incapable of knowing right from wrong or of controlling their impulses our prisons would be full of them. Not the case.

There are kids who exhibit aberrant behavior at a young age. Some, controlled, are able to cope in normal society. Others are just bent the wrong way and can never be let loose on society. Fortunately, these are few, but they are out there.

A 13-16 year old who rapes a little girl, kills one of more people for fun or gain, at a minimum should be given a life sentence, with possibility of parole at age 25-30 but that should be based on their cumulative record.

Some of these, with prior records, aggravating circumstances, might be candidates for the needle.

Recall if you will that a few generations ago these “children” would be getting ready to marry, have children and earn a living.