Our pop culture sympathizes way too much with criminals that have long personal histories involved in crime. If a felon has more than three convictions, he or she is irrecoverable for society and should be locked up for life (but it should only be *real* felonies, not equivalent misdemeaners).
Execution of any lethal crime while a member of a gang should carry the death penalty automatically.
We must get serious about enforcing and respecting the law and stop this culture of tolerating deception that stems from the use of drugs and other illicit activities.
Untill then, we are merely sticking our fingers and toes into the over-stressed dike of law that barely holds back an ocean of crime.
Just my point. I felt like that unfortunate young man did. Will I live to see I made a difference? I strongly believe citizens should do their part but the government has to do its part as well.