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Modern legal theory says that you only punish those who can be considered morally accountable for their actions. This is why we don't bring animals to trial when they cause a death or serious injury. However, we do euthanize them in recognition of their uncontrollable nature, their continuing danger to humans and other animals, and out of our reluctance to permanently house and feed them in close confinement until they expire naturally

This 16 year-old boy has a mental defect that cannot be controlled even with medication and has proven, in the most horrific way, that he cannot be free within the general population without endangering others. Death, in this case, is a punishment disallowed by his mental incapacity. Permanent confinement removes him from the general population but imposes the cost of confining him on society. It would be appropriate if the people who had responsibility for monitoring and supervising him - and who failed to respond vigorously to his fascination to killing and knives prior to the event (i.e., the physicians, special education teachers and parents) - had to pay for his confinement in a secure mental institution. If he were to miraculously recover from this syndrome, Odgren should be transferred to a penitentiary for the remainder of his natural life.

Personally, I hope the parents of the slain boy sue the a** off of everybody that had a duty to monitor and supervise Odgren and failed to act. Those accountable persons can and should be punished both for themselves and for the fire it will light under the behinds of others in similar positions of responsibility who take their duties lightly.

Anyone know (or have a links to) the status of the lawsuits arising from the Columbine, CO school massacre?

Personally, I hope the parents of the slain boy sue the a** off of everybody that had a duty to monitor and supervise Odgren and failed to act.

I missed the part in the article that said this boy had a history of violent or uncontrollable behavior. Without that history, I don't see the culpability of the school administration.

"Normal" people can commit violent crimes without warning too, yet the school administration is not always responsible.

This is such a crock. True Asperger's syndrome kids are socially awkward, and may be intelligent/obssessed with things, but they know the difference between right and wrong. I am amazed at the creativity of lawyers in coming up with such absurd defenses, and the cretinous juries who would fall for them.

This 16 year-old boy has a mental defect that cannot be controlled even with medication

Medication can definitely help some people with Asperger's Syndrome. Also, if their problems are recognized early enough and handled properly, they can overcome many of their mental/emotional problems. Given the right support from parents, family, school and doctors children with Asperger's can lead productive lives. If the problems aren't recognized or ignored they have little chance of a normal life.