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Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole
Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

—On the heels of a recent United States Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life terms without the possibility of parole for juveniles is a violation of the 8th Amendment, this docuseries spotlights eight convicted child offenders who are now seeking resentencing. The focus is split between the facts of the crimes when they were originally committed, combined with new evidence that has come to light, and the real-time updates regarding potential releases, parole hearings, and resentencing as they currently unfold. Each episode includes exclusive commentary from the convicted offenders from prison plus perspectives from leading psychologists, law enforcement and reporters closest to each case.
2 seasonsReality, DocumentaryTV-14
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Season 19 of 9 Episodes

  • 14-year-old Aaron shoots his neighbor, 14-year-old Alana, in her home in Harlem, Ga.; Aaron is sentenced to life without parole at 15 but appeals his sentence at the age of 21.

  • On April 10, 1995, 15-year-old Curtis is one of four teens involved in a fatal carjacking attempt and is sentenced to life in prison without parole; after 23 years in jail, Curtis is granted a resentencing and could soon be released.

  • In 2010, 17-year-old Preston is one of three teens involved in an attempted robbery that results in murder; sentenced along with the other teens to life without parole, Preston is granted a resentencing hearing at the age of 25.

  • In 1992, 15-year-old Bobby shoots his girlfriend's parents as they sleep in their Texas home, killing the mother; Bobby is sentenced to life in prison despite claims he was manipulated into committing the murder, and hopes to appeal his sentence.

  • In 2001, a group of teens including 15-year-old Brandon kidnap and rape a 21-year-old college student in Youngstown, Ohio; tried as an adult, Brandon is sentenced to 141 years in prison without parole.

  • In 1990, 15-year-old James kills his stepmother and three young brothers with a shotgun, then sets their rural Wyoming home on fire; 27 years later, James' legal team argues that his original sentence is unconstitutional.

  • In 1998, 16-year-old Otis breaks into Valerie's home and allegedly tries to rob her, shooting her and her 16-year-old daughter; sentenced to life without parole, Otis is later granted a resentencing hearing and hopes he can someday be released.

  • In 1999, 17-year-old Ronald and two other teens seek retaliation for an alleged sexual assault, ultimately burning their victim alive in the woods of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; now 36 years old, Ronald is granted a resentencing hearing.

  • Final rulings are issued for convicted murderers Otis Daniels, Ronald Bell and Kristel Maestas; Otis' attorney works to strike a deal to make him eligible for parole; Kristel has a resentencing hearing while her victim's family testifies against her.
Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

More about Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

On the heels of a recent United States Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life terms without the possibility of parole for juveniles is a violation of the 8th Amendment, this docuseries spotlights eight convicted child offenders who are now seeking resentencing. The focus is split between the facts of the crimes when they were originally committed, combined with new evidence that has come to light, and the real-time updates regarding potential releases, parole hearings, and resentencing as they currently unfold. Each episode includes exclusive commentary from the convicted offenders from prison plus perspectives from leading psychologists, law enforcement and reporters closest to each case.

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