Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

On January 31, 2011, 14-year-old Aaron shot his neighbor, 14-year-old Alana, in her home in Harlem, Georgia. Aaron was sentenced to life without parole at 15, but now 21-year-old Aaron is appealing his sentence.

On April 10, 1995 in Aurora, Colorado, 15-year-old Curtis was one of four teens involved in the death of Christopher as they attempted to steal his car. Curtis was sentenced to life in prison without parole. After 23 years in jail, Curtis has been granted a resentencing and could soon be released.

On March 4, 2010, 17-year-old Preston was one of three teens involved in the murder of Christopher during an attempted robbery in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Along with the other teens, Preston was sentenced to life without parole. Now at the age of 25, he has been granted a resentencing hearing.

On March 7, 1992, 15-year-old Bobby shot girlfriend Krissi's mother and father as they slept in their home in Frisco, Texas. Roz was killed, but her husband Buz survived. Bobby was sentenced to life despite claims he was manipulated into committing the murder. He now hopes to appeal his sentence.

On August 21, 2001, a group of teens, including 15-year-old Brandon, kidnapped and raped Melissa, a 21-year-old college student in Youngstown, Ohio. Brandon was tried as an adult and sentenced to 141 years in prison without parole. Seventeen years later the Ohio Supreme Court agreed that Brandon's sentence is the equivalent of life without parole and therefore unconstitutional. He has been granted the opportunity for a new sentence.

On November 24, 1990, 15-year-old James killed his stepmother and three young brothers with a shotgun, and then set their rural Wyoming home on fire. It was a crime the small town of Thermopolis would never forget. Twenty-seven years later, James' legal team is arguing that his original sentence is unconstitutional and that he should be resentenced.