I disagree. There are plenty of truly savage 14 year olds out there.
http://nation.time.com/2013/11/21/14-year-old-indicted-for-rape-and-murder-of-high-school-teacher/
The bottom line is that each and every criminal case is unique. Many 14 year olds are indeed immature. But in recent years, most states have recognized that other factors apply, which is why prosecutors may decide to try *some* juveniles “as adults”, based on particular evidence.
And if a jury agrees in that rationale, that their murderous acts were so heinous and vicious, that “aggravating” circumstances apply that warrant the death penalty, numeric age, within reason, does not matter. At least the cut off age should be lower, to the point where almost no juvenile offender *could* merit it.
Does this mean that 10 year olds and younger should not be executed? Perhaps, but only based on the statistics. How many truly savage 10 year olds are out there?
No 14 year old is going to be executed in this country. It takes at least 25 years of legal processes to make it happen. Executing a 39 year old man for a crime of murder done 25 years ago is fine with me.