45: America’s Youngest Convicted Murderers - Catherine and Curtis Jones

On January 6th, 1999, in Port St John, Florida, the body of 29-year-old Sonya Nicole Speights was discovered lying in a blood-drenched tub. Investigators were initially informed that it was the sight of an accidental shooting, but the evidence indicated something far more suspicious. Who was this woman and who was the monster who murdered her inside her home?

This is the tragic case of brother and sister Catherine and Curtis Jones who at the time when these events unfolded, became the youngest convicted murderers in U.S. history.

My sincerest apologies for the delay in its release

Research for Episode 45 includes:

Course Material: Race, Ethnicity, and Crime

America's Youngest Convicted Murderers Are Being Released

Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

Documents unveil history of abuse for young killers | 11alive.com

Juvenile Transfer to Criminal Court

Questionably Imprisoned for Murder at Ages 12 and 13, Brother and Sister Now Set to Leave Prison 18 Years Later

Racial disparities in Florida’s criminal justice system are shameful

Role of Waiver in the Juvenile Court - Questions of Philosophy and Function (From Major Issues in Juvenile Justice Information and Training Readings in Public Policy, P 207-226, 1981, John C Hall et al, ed. - See NCJ-77318) | Office of Justice Programs

The Impact of Waiver to Adult Court on Youths’ Perceptions of Procedural Justice - PMC

Youth in the Adult Criminal Justice System