Justin Mathews, left, and Jalynn Garner.

It’s not right to put these poor children on trial like this.

Everyone makes mistakes.

Besides, they wouldn’t have even done it if the white man’s racism hadn’t been keeping them down.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The second of two teens accused in last year’s shooting death of a retired St. Louis police sergeant has admitted his role in the crimes.

Justin Mathews, 16, pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, motor vehicle tampering, resisting arrest and two counts of armed criminal action in the Oct. 29, 2018, shooting death of retired Sgt. Ralph E. Harper.

Mathews’ friend, Jalynn Garner, 17, pleaded guilty last month.

Mathews, who was 15 at the time, admitted to driving a stolen SUV to the 3100 block of Lackland Avenue in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, providing Garner a handgun, and waiting in the SUV nearby as Garner tried to rob Harper. Authorities said Garner, who was 16, fatally shot Harper during the robbery attempt, and took Harper’s key fob. The teens then fled in the stolen vehicle.

The teens were certified this year to stand trial in state court as adults.

Prosecutors on Thursday recommended a 20-year term and for Mathews to be screened for a dual jurisdiction program between the Division of Youth Services and state court that affords juveniles eligibility for parole at age 21.

Garner is also to be screened for that program.

Mathews’ sentencing is set for Dec. 12 before Circuit Judge Michael Noble. Garner is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 26 by Circuit Judge Clinton Wright.

Ralph Harper.

Justin Mathews, left, and Jalynn Garner.

In a sane world, all teenapers would be charged as adults in court.

Don’t these coons reach full maturity by the age of 14 or something?

KMOV:

Two teens are facing charges related to the fatal shooting and robbery of a retired St. Louis police sergeant.

Ralph Harper, 67, was shot and killed in the 3100 block of Lackland Avenue, near Tower Grove Park, on Oct. 29, 2018. Police said he was parking his car along the street when he was approached by a gunman and the two exchanged fire.

Days after the shooting, a 15-year-old and 16-year-old were taken into custody and remanded to the juvenile court.

On June 10, police said the 16-year-old, Justin Mathews, was certified as an adult for the robbery and fatal shooting.

Mathews has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, first-degree robbery, first-degree tampering and felony felling.

…

On June 13, police said 17-year-old Jalynn Garner was certified as an adult for the robbery and the fatal shooting.

Garner has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree robbery.

Ralph Harper.

Julian Mathews, left, and Justin Mathews.

You have to feel for this guy.

He worked as a police sergeant in 50% black St. Louis for over three decades, presumably surviving countless coontacts.

Then he finally got to retire and… well…

St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Marissa Woods said Tuesday that she has always thought to herself, “What about their parents?” whenever she heard that a child was involved in the city’s most heinous crimes.

Now, she knows she’s the parent people are wondering about.

Her sons, Julian Mathews, 17, and Justin Mathews, 15, have been charged in connection to the murder of retired St. Louis police Sgt. Ralph Harper. The 67-year-old was gunned down during a robbery attempt in the Tower Grove neighborhood early Monday.

St. Louis Police Sgt. Ralph E. Harper in a photo released by the department. Harper, who was retired from the department, was shot and killed during a robbery attempt in St. Louis on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.

The 33-year veteran of the police force was able to fire at his attacker and struck him in the wrist. Woods said her son Justin stands accused of driving the stolen SUV that dropped off the 16-year-old suspected shooter at the hospital following the shooting.

Ralph Harper.