What A World We Live In.

[sandyRoe]

If convicted under the rules of joint enterprise all will go down as murderers. While it's difficult to have any sympathy with them, those who engaged in horseplay and now find themselves facing murder charges must feel themselves hard done by.
Any thoughts?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/worcestershire-birmingham-crown-court-asda-one-jaguar-land-rover-b2221585.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1668049423

[naomi24]

How about the others? The 13 year old who joined in by way of his boot? Who knows … but he wasn’t an innocent bystander.

[gness]

Sandy, I really don't understand your comment that some were up for a bit of horseplay or vandalism as if that is a "we meant no harm" excuse.

They left home with their faces covered so they couldn't be identified. They caused trouble all the way to where they murdered Mr Kirwin.
They scared passengers on the train.
Of course they should all be charged with murder.

[jno]

I disagree, gness. They might be chared with covering their faces (if that's a crime in a world full of hoodies), or scaring people, or whatever . But they should only be chargged with murde if there's evidence that they murdered someone, and by "they" I mean people against whom there is some actual evidence.

Someone posted further back about the importance of taking personal responsibility. But being assumed responsible for something done by someone else is the opposite of personal responsibility. It's something you might call group responsbility and as sandyRoe suggests, that's the thin edge of a very large wedge.

[burlyshirley1]

I agree, gness.

[gness]

I disagree with you, Jno. From the moment they left their houses they were threatening and disruptive and causing damage that others will have to pay for.
They didn't go out for a night out with friends. They all went out to terrorise other folk and cause damage.
That has to come with consequences or this type of behaviour will escalate.....well, even more than it seems to be.

[gness]

Thanks, Shirley.

[youngmafbog]

And jno still supporting the criminal. What a surprise.