I call BS on this right here. No one at 16 gets 108 years on their first conviction for burglary and robbery without there being deaths involved.
How long was his rap sheet of crimes before he finally got in front of a judge? This "kid" must have had pages of arrests and releases on his record before any DA and judge would allow a first time thief at 16 to get a life sentence, especially in Arkansas.
I wish we could find out what his record was before this conviction, but it would mean opening his records as a minor and that isn't going to happen I bet.
There were no deaths indicated in any story I've seen about it and I'd be surprised if it wasn't his first adult conviction.
In Pa. -- and in most states, I think -- you don't start being tried as an adult until 18, unless there is something exceptional involved.