Article 1 Black Orlando teen facing life behind bars

Orlando -Dec 1 about 9:30pm Marcus Mason was shot and killed by a Cory Steplight. A 14 year old who now lives in a 11-7foot cell at the Orange county Jail. His isolation is for his own protection. Cory Stand about 6ft. tall and weighs about 100 pounds. He is the youngest defendant in Florida to be charged with capitol first degree murder. if convicted Corey will spend the rest of his life in prison. Persecuting attorneys argue the fact that children 14 and under should not be tried as an adult. However many Defense attorneys and children advocate argue that they should nt be tried as and adult. In Cory's case life outside was not on his side. According to his grandmother Cory was a good kid. Inspite the fact that his mother is an addicted drug addict and prostitute. Authorities learned before that Cory had a behavior problem, and needed help which he never received. Doctors and Social Workers told juvenile officials at least twice that Corey needed a structured secure environment. State Attorneys Office spokesman said the system failed him. They neglected to get him the help he needed. Statistics show that in Florida 96 juveniles were charged with murder or manslaughter from July 1, 2005 to June 30,2006. On the night of the murder Marcus mason left his car running while he was locking up his grandfather body shop. His uncle and friends were inside working on the security camera that usually focus on the parking lot where Marcus stood the night he was shot. According to the reports Marcus was shot six times. the shooter jumped into the Grand Prix that Marcus owned and sped away. Marcus was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center. A break in the case came 10 hours later when a witness noticed two kids taking the wheels off a parked car. A deputy spotted the two teenagers. Cory Steplight and Bryan Nevares they were apprehended and placed in the back of the patrol car which is equipped with a listening device. The officers heard them talk about the marijuana and the gun that they threw away. On December 12,they were indicted for first degree murder, carjacking, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana. Social workers recomended that he be sent to a loger term secured residential drug treament program. Cory is due to appear in court the summer.