Browning Pleads Guilty
Nicholas W. Browning, the Baltimore County 16 year-old boy accused of killing his family, including his father who was a well respected Towson lawyer with Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, has pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in Baltimore County Circuit Court. Under the plea, Browning will face a maximum of two consecutive life sentences and two concurrent life sentences which will include the possibility of parole. Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Thomas J. Bollinger Sr. will sentence Browning on December 2nd .
David B. Irwin, a Towson lawyer with Irwin, Green & Dexter, who has been serving as a spokesman for Nicholas Browning’s paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather and maternal aunt and uncle, said the family understands “the need for punishment in a tragic situation,” but that they “want Nick to be safe and get whatever treatment is available.”
What an awful spot the survivors of that family have been placed in by this tragedy. Judge Bollinger has a tough call to make as well. What is an appropriate sentence for a boy who obviously needed psychiatric help? What if he defeats the demons in his mind at a young age? Does he stay in prison for the rest of his life for something he did when he was 16? Then again, he coldly killed his entire family and coolly tried to cover it up, going to the mall and playing video games the next day. Should you ever be able to enjoy freedom again after killing your parents and your two younger brothers? It causes me angst just thinking about the competing interests in this case; I can’t imagine having to make the call.
Comments
The Nicholas Browning story is indeed a tragedy.
The boy had parents who seemed to be the pillars of the community. But behind closed doors they were drinking to excess and were cruel and abusive to their oldest child. And I think to the younger ones too.
Now there is no excuse for murder.
The adolescent brain, whether it is 15 or 16 is not matured as an adult brain is. It simply does not function in the same was as the adult brain.
NIcholas was not allowed to vote, drive a car,or legally use alcohol. This was not his parents' rule. It is the state's rule. It is upheld because kids just are not adults and their brains are not adult brains.
Yet, he can be tried as an adult. Even though he is, by definition, a juvenile. This does not make sense.
And he went to play video games and to the Mall. Isn't that what teens do? I believe Nick took care of the problems at home and then coped with what he had done by drawing close to his friends who did not abuse him.
I am NOT saying he did the right thing. I am simply saying he did what 15/16 year old brains do in terrible situations.
I think his father was a good lawyer and also a sociopath. I think both parents and the school knew he needed help and just turned their backs on Nick's very serious problems.
I believe he has serious psychiatric problems and people with serious psychiatric problems often behave in seriously psychiatric ways. As did Nick.
Punishment? Hasn't he had enough?
Let's get treatment for this guy. And the very best treatment he can get. Living at Patuxent will not be easy for him. He is going to need all the help he can get.
Let's kick evolution up a notch or two. I think we have all noticed that prison doesn't work. Let's actually get this kid the TREATMENT his parents and school failed to give him.
Maybe he should sue his parent's estate and the school for abuse and neglect of his medical problems!!!!!!
Posted by: Daisy | October 31, 2008 6:57 AM