I agree with tlynn. I remember when parents were held responsible for their childrens' actions until the children were 18 years of age. If this still applied more parents would be acting like parents instead of trying to be their kids' buddies.

I believe he should be punished for killing his little brother. Putting him in adult population won't help, but getting the mental & emotional help he needs will while serving a sentance for murder. If he's let go free, what will happen when another "kid" kills another kid? Will he/she go free too? You can blame a lot on his mother and his raising, but ultimately he did kill and that should not go unpunished.

This child will ultimately spend the rest of his life in need of mental health care. I still believe that his mother should be the one standing in his place. She is the one ultimately responsible for this entire situation!