Teenagers are prone to making stupid mistakes that they’ll end up regretting. Sometimes, the mistakes are minor and inconsequential. At other times, they’re so grave, they change the trajectory of their lives and that of everyone else involved.
Murder, attempted murder, burglary, and armed robbery: these were the gruesome crimes teenagers Drake Campbell, 18, and Jacob Mouzon, 17, were both accused of. But when they came face-to-face with a furious judge in a packed courtroom, they did the last thing you’d expect from a pair of hardened thugs. They knew they were going to pay dearly for their crimes, but when they saw just how far the judge was willing to go for justice, they started bawling like babies.
However, it was not the judge’s decision that triggered an unexpected reaction, but the two teens who began to sob when they realized the seriousness of their situation.
Just two of a five-man group, these two South Carolina teens were suspects in a grisly home invasion and murder in the quiet community of Huger. For one teen, trouble seemed to follow the family.
Drake Campbell’s older brother Kenneth was also involved in the incident and had pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges only a year prior. To say these boys were trouble would be an understatement.
In the days prior to the boys appearing in front of the judge, Jacob Mouzon’s mother pleaded for mercy.
A judge in South Carolina brought three teenage suspects of a deadly home invasion to tears as he denied them bond on all charges.
His sister even spoke on his behalf, claiming that Jacob was her best friend and he had simply made a horrible mistake. She did not discount the severity of the situation, but believed overall he was a “good kid.”
Drake Campbell’s family also tried to appeal to the judge’s good graces, hoping for him to grant bail.
The family tried to paint Drake as a good boy and not an awful kid. However, the prosecution vehemently disagreed.
Appearing before the judge, the prosecution argued that bond should be denied, “due to the violent nature of the crime… and also the fact it took four law enforcement agencies two days to apprehend the offenders.”
The last remaining hope of the two teens lay in the good grace of the judge. Thinking about the case, no one really figured out if the jury would turn in their favor or would impose a severe penalty. No one knew how the judge would respond as it was a really messy case.
As the lads tried to keep calm, their emotions got the best of them as they awaited their final ruling. The regret and weight of the sentence for their grave actions finally dawned on them and they couldn’t help it. The teenagers burst into tears.
As the judge read the verdict, Drake Campbell received 20 years of imprisonment while Jacob Mouzon received 40 years of imprisonment. Hoping the victim’s family might find peace with the time for them to heal. It’s not unusual for even the most seasoned offenders to cry when justice is administered. Mouzon and Campbell aren’t the first to experience gut-wrenching emotions as they receive sentences for their crimes, they certainly will not be the last.
Watch the video report here: WCBD/Youtube
Sources: OpposingViews, WCBD
dan