Free Republic

Footage sees the skinny 12-year-old waiting calmly in line in the town of Hartford, with his hand in his backpack as a customer in front of him pay for gas. When he reaches the front of the line he whips out a pistol from his black bag and demands money. 'Put the money in the bag!' the boys states calmly. The cashier appears incredulous at the request initially and asks him, 'Are you serious?' boy pulls out a handgun on the female cashier, Jessica, working behind the counter To ensure she sees his request as legitimate the boy fires a...

BOSTON - Judge Paul D. Lewis has seen it all during his 23 years in juvenile court: kids involved in shootings, kids involved in killings, kids involved in rapes at gunpoint. So when a 12-year-old boy came into his court charged with possession of a firearm, Lewis had seen enough. The judge set the boy's bail at $250,000 - 50 times higher than the $5,000 sought by prosecutors. His decision shocked prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. But Lewis said he is simply trying to protect the public. "We can't have kids out in the community with guns and firing guns,"...