Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

Side-by-side examination of two cases involving juveniles initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Richard Kinder was 17 when he and a friend committed a robbery that ended in a young woman’s death and the serious injury of her boyfriend; now 65, Richard has served nearly 50 years of a life-without-parole sentence.

Malcolm Thrower was 17 when he stabbed and killed Marilyn Russell, a neighborhood woman who had offered to help the homeless teen. Now 28 and serving a life without parole sentence, Malcolm hopes to earn an opportunity for a reduced sentence, and forgiveness from Marilyn’s family.

What drives a teenage boy to kill his own father? Justin Long was only 15 years old when he violently killed his adoptive father, Hoyt Long. Justin believes he finally snapped after years of corporal punishment.

16-year-old William Najar shot and killed Michael Decker, who was camping in the Phoenix desert. Now 38, Najar is facing an upcoming resentencing hearing.

17-year-old Deon Haynes was sentenced to life in prison for killing former classmate Christy Davis in her home. Now 47, Deon has been granted a resentencing hearing, but his continued claim of innocence has brought his capacity for rehabilitation into question.

Dana Barker was only 17 when she killed her former stepmother Brenda in 1994. Back then, the court failed to consider the role of her father Joe in the crime, and the circumstances that led her to murder. Now 44, Dana is fighting for a resentencing hearing, although the state of Oklahoma maintains her case does not qualify for consideration.

Shelton Jackson was 17 when he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Thomas Maynard, who tragically left behind a week-old baby boy. Now 48, Jackson has been granted a resentencing hearing that could result in his release, something Maynard's widow Leesa vehemently opposes.