Bulger's murder is considered one of the most widely known killings in recent British history and its notoriety was taken into consideration when Judge Elizabeth Butler-Sloss made the unprecedented order to conceal the identities of Bulger's killers. Some argue that the toddler was also at risk, but did not have a judge helping him when he was killed by the boys. Therefore, Venables and Thompson should not be given the right to a private life just because the crime was well-publicized. I think that whenever you talk about victims and offenders, it's not very often that fairness ever comes into play. Jane Anderson King, chief juvenile probation officer for the Youth Center of the High Plains, said the center has worked with young offenders who have committed murder, and that a special amount of care and consideration is difficult, but needed.
Murder is a horrible, horrible deal.
King said where Venables and Thompson are concerned, their judge showed a tender heart toward two young men who have been thought of as monsters by an entire country. If the judge thinks these kids have a chance at life then, wow, she's showing a lot of mercy and it'll be interesting to see what they do with it. Thurman said victims' rights in Texas have improved through the years, but even today, there's little a justice system can do to make sure victims' families are happy with the outcome of a trial or of an offender. Information, however, can be a major key to moving on after a tragic event, Thurman said. In Amarillo, juvenile crime victims are notified of court hearings and some judges will allow victims' families to address the juvenile offenders at sentencing, Thurman said.