Going to Prison FOR LIFE at 13 Years Old

Ex Jewel Thief, Mob Earner, Criminal and Prisoner Larry Lawton
Ex Jewel Thief Larry Lawton spent 11 years in prison and now helps people make better decisions and fights for prison reform.
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I do not condone any of the negative behavior described. I have learned from the mistakes I have made and do not wish for anyone to recreate or attempt any of the events described.
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Please watch: "Smoking in Prison Caused Serious Violence"
• Smoking in Prison Caus...
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[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

open.spotify.com/show/41mGZSvYnFi7xuFpWID92d?si=kTwZtl6jRw6uuiQN0vkqFA Don’t forget !! New Podcasts every Monday and Friday !!

[@drooshmaroosh8261]

Your views are heavily skewed in favor of the perpetrator vs the victim. This is to be expected coming from someone who held up jewelry store owners at gunpoint. You ought to consider the vast majority of us in society don't commit these heinous acts, be it what you've done or the story portrayed in the video.

[@LegatusXIII]

Great video Mr. Lawton. Keep them coming. Would love to hear your thoughts on the West Memphis Three case from 1993 sometime.

[@corrupted2638]

Great video

[@ryancollins8837]

You should try to reach out and interview him. It would be great to hear you ask these questions directly and have a conversation.

[@nomdeplume7537]

The issue with mental health... is that it takes 2 to Tango. Someone can meet with a psychiatrist and therapist daily, but if they don't participate, don't engage, there's nothing any MH involvement will accomplish

[@melissasmith3867]

My son was a literally brilliant kid but was overweight and bullied from elementary school. He dropped out of school in 10th grade and was so damaged by all of it, he took his own life at 19. He fought back all the time, but he began to believe What people had told him all those years. He went to counseling, was Baker Acted numerous times for suicidal attempts, etc. Bullies MUST be addressed by the schools!

[@julianbroome5001]

Miss Melissa I totally agree I was only bullied a couple of times and I can remember the shame and the humiliation in the fear in my day the school teachers didn't do anything it's got to be rough on kids nowadays in this classrooms in hallways it all boils down to showing the little respect to another human being.

[@smitty5229]

"But their bullying your kid because they have problems at home and need to vent it out." Yeah, I'm tired of bullying going unnoticed and then the bullies being victimized. Schools need to get it together

[@richieporter5124]

So sorry for your loss 🙏🏾

[@primate4]

I’m very sorry for the loss of your son!!!!! That is heartbreaking and I can’t imagine the pain! I wish you the best!

[@Voss_Man]

I'm sorry for your loss. Hope you're doing well.

[@wolfman4974]

I'm in the UK and when I was at school the bullies always got away with anything and the teachers did nothing but the moment a victim stands up to a bully and wins the victim gets in trouble for fighting.

[@MG-wk2eh]

I'm from the UK and I was bullied at secondary school (mid-late 00s, the worst of it was in year 9), I also witnessed a few others being bullied, always by the same people. Because at that age, bullying is mostly verbal/psychological, I found teachers would conveniently never "notice". At best, they'd just tell the bullies to shut up because they were talking in class. But if you reacted, then it became a scene, and if both not were punished - you were. Some did try to help but were ineffective to the point it was counter-productive. I was bullied by some chav boy, some teacher tried that whole "if a boy bullies a girl, it's because he secretly fancies her" cliche and 'shamed' him publicly 'called him' on it. It just made the bully worse.

[@chazzcoolidge2654]

Here in the US, it's the same especially in small towns due to internal school politics. Some of the bullies' parents were on the school council, and would defend their kids' behavior. But you know how the kids settled it? They would wait till school was out.

[@soyjakpartyvideoarchive4645]

how is killing a random toddler fighting back exactly

[@jrodgers211]

Who cares, 3 day school suspension is worth having people stop fucking with you

[@artyomarty391]

I was bullied psychologically in 4th grade partly because I didnt know English and couldnt say anything. Physically I was actually much stronger than any of my bullies(25 pull ups, 7 min mile, etc, at age 10). And in my home country in Russia everything settled with a fight in which I always won and so never had been bullied there. But in the states, when I immigrated, I dont know what happened, but I was afraid to fight any of my bullies. It was like I was afraid of getting in trouble or afraid of hurting other kids. My step dad would call the school every month to tell them about it. They told him they would do something. Not a dam thing changed. This lasted for like half a year. I knew they had never spoken with the bullies' parents nor the kids that bullied me Eventually it all stopped after I did fight a few blacks and won and word spread around. I think the schools need to recognize the right of a person being bullied to strike back physically. So many problems could be solved if we were allowed to have a good ole fight... You see, even if the bully wins a fight, he will still be very unlikely to bully again, because any fight is actually stressful and subconsciously tells a person to not pick on that person again.

[@RoCkShaDoWWaLkEr]

Being bullied is no excuse for killing a 4 year old completely defenseless child, I was bullied then became a bully of bullies not weak people.

[@dirtcache6128]

“How can he be normal when he gets out?” He wasn’t normal when he went in, champ.

[@rdxsonofafett758]

It’s hard to loose a child. My parents lost a 1 year old and 35 years later it still hurts them deeply

[@Person-eh9nr]

agreed, still doesn't mean the guy should be locked up for the rest of his life.

[@jarredroger6887]

Agreed I lost my first son never been the same since and it's been almost ten years

[@coltonwilkie241]

@Person it absolutely does mean he should be locked up forever. The fuck you on about? Dude was 13. He knew better.

[@boolean64]

@@coltonwilkie241 L

[@Person-eh9nr]

@@coltonwilkie241 he was 13 years old and served the majority of his life in jail. I don't think someone should have to spend life in prison for something they did 30 years ago when they were a child, no matter how messed up what they did was...

[@admiral0912]

As someone who was constantly subject to bullying throughout elementary and middle school, I wish there had been someone like you in my life who could've stepped in and knocked some sense into people (not literally, unless you want to lol). But seriously, your words hit me hard. I never had anyone stand up for me, and that's affected me throughout my life. You give me hope. Thanks for everything Larry, I love you dude Edit: As I’ve gotten a few replies, I’ll clarify a few things. I’ve been out of school for over a decade now, and during high school I learned how to stand up for myself. The people I talk about having sense knocked into are the adults who knew it was happening, saw it, and did nothing. The rest are kids, they can only be held to blame for so much at those ages (granted, there are always exceptions to every rule). I do appreciate all of the positive comments, and everyone is right: at the end of the day, you have to stand up for yourself. Others can’t always do it for you, but it doesn’t hurt when they offer help in some way, whether through conversation or more direct means. Regardless, Larry is the type of guy I wish was around when I was growing up who could’ve taught me to stand up for myself, and potentially even helped some of the “adults” understand how their inaction has consequences.

[@oogiemaster]

I was bullied when I was in grade school, even in high school, but every bullies bullied me only once. I hated them and I comforted* (confronted 😂) them on the spot with all my might. Heck! it happened when I was in the NAVY. I applied the same trick.

[@bigguy7353]

Sometimes you learn more from standing up for yourself. I hope you do that in your adult life. I was bullied as well, and it made me into an adult that takes sh*t from absolutely no one.

[@badxradxandy]

Try BJJ

[@fredo7540]

G I was bullied in middle school till I quit being a bitch n stood up for myself. That’s what u gotta do cuz ain’t no one gonna do It for u

[@ianlackey237]

I was a bully, I just didn't understand what it did to kids. I've tried to make peace with some of my peers

[@drewc8534]

I was also bullied, but luckily for me, I had support from my mom at home. 20+ years later I'm a successful adult and the ones who bullied me as a kid have been in and out of prison, jail, rehab or a combination of the 3. I almost feel bad for them, now that I'm getting to understand some of their stories of having a troubled family life, drug addiction from an early age and/or never learning consequences for their actions because no one cared enough to teach them besides the school and prison systems. Kids aren't born bullies, they get conditioned into it.

[@fij715]

I was also bullied and I was supported by my parents as much as they could. Killing people is not a normal reaction for people that are being bullied.

[@deanchur]

In regards to Eric adjusting to life on the outside, just remember: He went into prison before Windows 95 was released and he's coming out into a society that people who have never been isolated from still can't adjust to.

[@ltchugacast131]

Must feel like Kovac being spun up after 200 years in Altered Carbon

[@jimjamauto]

Your comment hit me like a truck. I'm only 29, never spent a day in jail or prison, and I feel like I'm treading water with how fast everything is constantly changing

[@Morgan423Z]

As the son of a homicide victim, I can tell you that forgiveness is hard to reach, even if it's what your family member would have hoped of you. I got there, but it took a long, long time. So I can totally get where the victim's parents are coming from. Losing your child probably pushes it up another level still.

[@beaneater3217]

First off, sorry for your loss. You’re right about parents losing their children being another level. That’s is something that naturally isn’t supposed to happen

[@Serjo777]

Nobody can expect or demand from a parent to ever forgive the killer of their child, but sentences should absolutely _not_ depend on the victims' wishes, obviously they will want the hardest punishment possible, but in cases like this, it only worsens the problem instead of fixing it. This kid urgently needed help, instead his youth and therefore the entire rest of his life was destroyed, and his already messed up psyche is now a million times worse and 100% beyond repair. I would not be surprised if we hear more of this guy in the future, after he

[@fatcontrollerproductions9910]

@@Serjo777 he killed a fucking 4 year old, he needs to be put down.

[@bch5513]

Same. It took me about 20 years

[@Ethernet480]

Sorry to hear about this. I can’t imagine the feeling and you are far better than me.

[@pri.sci.lla.]

I’ve been bullied but that’s not an excuse to kill a tiny kid (who was not a bully). I don’t think he should be in prison for life but I do think he needs to be watched very closely for the rest of his life and be kept away from kids.

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

I agree. He’s going to need a lot of help out of prison

[@anomaly3215]

being picked on and bullied are not the same thing, being treated like you're nothing and like you deserve nothing for years on end is much different than what you call bullying

[@pri.sci.lla.]

@@anomaly3215 what exactly are you trying to say? Are you saying you know about my life? I used the word bullied because that’s my experience. You do not get to gatekeep bullying buddy. You need an attitude adjustment and a reality check.

[@mikeansley5306]

The murderer was not turned into a murderer by bullying. He may have been bullied because he is a psychopath though. All of us have been bullied by someone and all of us have bullied someone.

[@bobobsen]

@@pri.sci.lla. But you just pretended to know what this kid has been through.. What if his bullying WAS much worse than yours?

[@glumberty1]

I don't think you can imagine the pain of having something like that happen to your child. That is the kind of thing that people never get over.

[@Lisa-tt9hm]

Some never get over being bullied either.

[@chaytonhurlow840]

I don't mean to be insensitive. But if you can't get over something, that is no one else's fault but your own. Doesn't matter what the situation is. Someone's need for vengeance should not influence the justice system.

[@glumberty1]

@@chaytonhurlow840 So women who get raped and don't get over it have no one to blame but themselves? Got it.

[@Sniperboy5551]

@glumberty1 People have to confront and come to terms with their trauma *for their own sake* otherwise it’ll ruin the rest of their life. That trauma wasn’t their fault, but there’s nowhere for the victim to move other than forward. If they can’t, that’s sad and I feel bad for them, but any psychologist would tell them to try to come to terms with it. It’s different in cases of PTSD, but medication and therapy can help alleviate that. Dwelling on a traumatic event and letting it ruin your life is not the answer. Maybe that sounds insensitive, but it worked for me.

[@sethsherr2793]

@@Lisa-tt9hmdoesn’t give him the right to kill An innocent kid the never knew

[@BVonBuescher]

God bless you Larry. As an ex-con myself I appreciate you doing the work you do my man we need 100 more of you. I always thought that you would’ve been a blast to do time with, however the person that you are on the outside is truly making some real positive impacts and for that you have my undying respect.

[@tangytanger1ne]

Love you Larry. You’re the perfect example that everyone has some good in them!

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

I try to lead by example to show that people can change for the better

[@tangytanger1ne]

@@LarryLawtonJewelThief you do a very good job at showing that! Keep up the great work

[@StarFyreXXX]

Im sure there are some exceptions but sure...

[@arnold8746]

@@StarFyreXXX I have found it's kinda 50/50 some of us learn, even though it usually takes a lot of hard lessons, but some of us never do and whatever our vice may be ends up taking us out in one way or another. I myself took some real hard lumps several times to learn and I'm definitely still not perfect but I am a much better person, it has taken 35 yrs but I'm getting there.

[@ryeastra262]

But the good that everyone has paper thin points across the board and that’s very common.

[@4pensword4]

If I remember correctly, Eric had a history of beating up another kid and hurting animals. There should have been interventions, but I think culture didn’t treat these warning signs as seriously as they do now. When he was convicted, the mental health stigma was MASSIVE. People DID think anyone who’d kill a little boy would be a monster for life back then. Having said that, I think Eric DID know right from wrong. He knew to lure the toddler away from others before taking action. He knew to tell police that he saw the toddler being led away instead of saying HE had taken the toddler away. Eric may not have understood the gravity of what he’d done, but he definitely knew it was wrong.

[@clossemarin3201]

He's a beady-eyed dumb but cunning monster.

[@aliceeliot6389]

And now they overreact and call the cops when a boy plays "fighting dragons" with a stick.

[@4pensword4]

@@aliceeliot6389 Overreacting certainly happens. But intentionally hurting animals ALWAYS deserves attention & intervention.

[@clossemarin3201]

I look into Eric's beady little eyes and I see no remorse.

[@yagami1134]

Like in the Texas shit shot, people don’t give a damm man

[@beverly5894]

From the documentary I seen , he said he was bullied relentlessly for years and when he seen this little guy he took out all of his frustration on him. This was a horrible tragedy for all involved and I just pray that he doesn't become a repeat offender. 🙏 prayers for the family for strength to get through this 🙏

[@LemoneVR]

Been having a shit day, getting bullied in school, then my display broke. Thank you for making it better.

[@kailashbtw9103]

I was severely bullied in middle school, I started to develop nasty characteristics inside myself. I started thinking I was SUPPOSED to bully other people that were "lesser" like a fucked up social hierarchy. I was actively being beat up and shit, but wanted to take it out on someone else (because I couldn't take it out on my bullies.) i really do get it. Thanks for speaking up Larry

[@iand4374]

Yeah man same. I was physically abused from bullying and damn it created some long-lasting scars. Self-esteem issues and depression, it set me back a while but its better now. Are you doing better? They would always come in a group and beat on me because I was smaller, and one threatened to kill me with his dad's gun if I told.

[@kailashbtw9103]

@@iand4374 thanks bud!! Oh yah, it took years of therepy but I'm finally being my true and full self! Glad you are doing better bud! It was the same for me, a group of bullies picking on me because I was different! Even the school didn't believe me

[@iand4374]

@@kailashbtw9103 its nice to see others so transparent about it and happy you're alot better. Talking about trauma to the right people really does help alot. Larry Lawton shows you can be the toughest motherfucker guy around but still talk everything out. I wish you well in life🤙

[@carlosdumbratzen6332]

Yes! I had the same experience. I was severly bullied for several years starting in elementary and it led to some nasty thoughts and actions (that I am really ashamed of to this day). It gives me some understanding what school shooters and kids like eric go through. I was 12 when I wanted to attack a kid, that was bullying me, with a knife. It was not in defense, but as retaliation. I got stopped by another kid and I did not face major consequences (to the better I would say). Suspension or police action would only have reaffirmed my thoughts that everyone and everything was against me. I dont think the way Eric was treated was right. The way the system was applied on him did only harm and shows perfectly how a prison system based on punishment and vengeance is helping nobody. I dont think he should have been released earlier or something, but the focus should have been from the beginning to work on reintegration and mental health. Not in a youth prison, but in a programm designed to teach kids that there is more than cruelty in the world. A regular prison just reaffirms the thoughts Eric had that led to him killing Derek.

[@ale.6195]

I wasn't 'bullied' but I did experience a lot of trauma. I was kidnapped, molested, and almost murdered. I became more aggressive and used more force than necessary to take out my anger. Then I became obsessed with gore while trying to desensitize myself. That being said... I find it extremely hard to forgive and trust that he's mentally stable enough to be with everyone else. He deffinently knew right and wrong and understood how severe his actions were. He lured the boy away into the woods and then brutally murdered a *4* year old. He then lied about it when questioned. There have to be serious underlying conditions that lead you to kill like that and knowing the American Justice system I don't believe his problems were adequately addressed.

[@elvis5138]

As someone suffering from clinical depression i appreciate you giving attention to mental health month!

[@frednugent2310]

I remember when this happened and i couldn't begin to imagine what the parents went through losing their 4 year old child in such a brutal and macabre murder. I also couldn't imagine what a 13 year old spending 28 years in prison and released into this world we live in today especially after what he must have experienced in prison. I don't see how he'll ever successfully function in society and he will be a disturbed soul until the day he leaves this world. Just as Larry mentioned, both sides unfortunately lose big time. Such a horrible, horrible and tragic experience for both families and that's an understatement.

[@DGregster]

Thank you Larry. I was bullied in school too and although I never killed or hurt anyone, sometimes I wanted to. It's really eye opening to some kids, I think, to see a bad ass dude like you to speak down on bullying and violence. I'm glad to be able to say that you're a good guy despite your past. At one point I thought bank robbers were evil, but you showed me that even the toughest criminals look down on violence. I'm glad you never hurt anyone when robbing a store.

[@awalton9024]

Always like hearing your thoughts Larry. We could dramatically cut crime and incarceration rates in our country if mental health, especially for children was taken seriously.

[@martinaubut9208]

And what it cost to see a psy in USA ? Is it free ?

[@Inspectorzinn2]

Even if it was taken seriously then what, drug them up? You can't magically fix someone's brain. Plenty of cases where kids with mental heath issues are given a bunch of drugs to treat their mental health, but then they go kill their parents and everyone blames the drugs. So no drugs they go crazy and kill people and with drugs they go crazy and kill people...doesn't sound like anyone has a solution othen than to blame mental health.

[@TRIChuckles]

@@martinaubut9208 hard hard subject. I don't know the answers by any means. But we do need mental health for all of us at times. Take care

[@MortonT1958]

Thank you Larry. These are incredibly complex issues. How do we rehabilitate and reform clearly damaged kids but at the same time protect the public from these people? Kids who commit crimes need to be “fixed”; there is clearly something wrong. With respect to punishment to balance the other side of the equation, how much time locked up is sufficient for murder? When the perpetrator is 13 years-old, are we really going to lock him up for the same length as we would incarcerate a 28 year-old who committed a similar offense?

[@awalton9024]

@@martinaubut9208 Hi, not sure what country you're in but it costs a lot everywhere and especially here. The calculus is clear though. It's far cheaper to prevent crime than deal with the horrific effects of it, then prosecute and incarcerate the criminal.

[@tamedshrew235]

Theres something else going on there with that kid beside bullying. Bullying covers alot of ground and most people have been bullied. But very very rarely does a victim of bullying react by brutally murderering a random toddler.

[@electrolytics]

Bingo. No doubt. I'm tired of people blaming everything that's wrong in their lives on bullying.

[@maryseflore7028]

True. There was probably something else going on... Where were his parents? Their absence is fishy.

[@hyronvalkinson1749]

I dunno about that. I was very close to doing the same thing several times in my childhood, it's not the hardest conclusion to come to. If you constantly fail when fighting back against bullies, lashing out at a defenseless small child is the next logical step.

[@ale.6195]

@@hyronvalkinson1749 Reread that and tell me you think that's a logical conclusion. If you still do then you genuinely need help. I was kidnapped, molested, and almost killed. All while a kid. That being said I could never even begin to seriously consider *murdering* a 4-year-old. Especially with such brutality. This was also likely premeditated to a certain extent.

[@hyronvalkinson1749]

@@ale.6195 I don't need help today, I needed help as a child and it sounded like you did too. You seriously didn't consider murdering other children at a young age? I honestly believe you're choosing to ignore what you were truly thinking at those times, teenagers are already angry when they have no good reason to be but stack on actual trauma and I'm surprised more school shootings don't occur. Premeditating the deaths of either aggressors or innocent bystanders took up the majority of my time between the ages of 10 and 16. I know I wasn't the only one either. To re-iterate, I am way past that now and have better anger management than most people. I am willing to hear out even the worst kinds of people because I value every life I come across. Maybe I just used up all my hate, or nothing that ever happens to me now (lose a job, lose my wife, lose my kids) will ever make me feel so angry ever again. I'm not saying it's good to feel enraged, but rather accepting that many feel that way and need true mental help before enacting out those feelings (something I almost did exactly once but planned out several times). My goal is to help everyone in such situations by first accepting how they feel, not to reject to-be serial child killers just because their thoughts scare me.

[@maekong2010]

I intentionally lived a life that exposed me to a lot of shit. I also faced some unfortunate events as a child. So, I am not absent of personal background concerning most of the issues surrounding this case. It is a gut-wrencher, for sure. Nice treatment of the subject matter, Larry. Assuredly one of the more important segments you've done. I wish this man the best of luck going forward. I also hope that reason can triumph over emotion and grant the victim's family some measure of peace. I believe in redemption, but it requires a tremendous amount of fortitude and an oftentimes-daunting amount of work. Please keep us abreast of how this case unfolds.

[@brockbaker2028]

I remember seeing this case on TV, and one thing that stuck with me was how little Eric's parents cared for him and his problems. He'd tell them about being bullied and ask for help, but his father would just tell him to "go punch a tree", which he did. Obviously, that wasn't enough. I blame the parents 100%. This might not have happened if they'd just been more supportive.

[@matts4893]

Those poor trees.

[@pablogats4627]

His bum father should've told him to punch his bullies not the trees

[@clossemarin3201]

He would be a monster even with good parents

[@jaycuthbert245]

Narr. I blame both. Parents and eric. Parents can bring up a child to the best of their abilities and give them absolutely everything necceseey yet the child can still just flip and murder a bunch of people. It's I mixture of many things. Environment. Upbringing. Alot of stuff. Might have been something in Eric's brain since he was born. We all just don't know for sure. Regardless, something in his mind was wrong. Specially when it came to impulses

[@ThreeDaysOfDan]

@@jaycuthbert245 Papa John said it best, your past does not define your future, your future defines your past. Find two kids who are victims of an abusive drunk and ask the one who does not abuse his kids or drink why he doesn't do what his fatehr did. He will say " because my father was a abusive drunk and i don't want that for my kids. The absuive dad will tell you the exact same thing as for why he abuses his kids//

[@KINGWALT-sp6ox]

Larry I love your videos. As a bully victim myself I went to the school they didn't do anything about it. Than my father told me to to just punch the bully. I followed his advice and that straightened that problem. But bullies really don't know how the bullying affects someone mentally. I'm not going to lie here I thought about taking my life because of it. I never did because I had family and friends who helped me.

[@fatguy9]

So its ok for a 13 year old to give a innocent 4 year old the death sentence but its a harsh punishment to give him life in prison?

[@Teamster83]

13 is not an adult in any way should not be heldbto adult sentence

[@herculesmwp7983]

I used to be heavily bullied as a kid, I have a hard time feeling sorry for him as a 13 year old. With that being said, I feel just a little bad for him when he tries get out and restart his life, it’s gotta be really tough because he had been without parenting for so long. It makes me wonder what was going on outside of bullying.

[@volunteernebraska6025]

Thank you Larry for the work you are doing. You ask some great questions! We need more mental health care at all levels - the earlier the better.

[@primate4]

More victims need to fight back with controlled violence!

[@nonostalgiareviews5982]

Honestly if Eric was my kid I'd feel so much like a failure as a parent. I'd do everything in my power to help get his life back. It's so sad to see something like this it breaks my heart for both sides of this story... thank you for another great video

[@calvinsmyth]

His own father was abusive to him. The dad needed to be pummeled with rocks and sent to prison for punishment.

[@nonostalgiareviews5982]

@@calvinsmyth I will fact check you but if this is true. ABSOLUTELY this was an entirely preventable crime had his parents been there and been attentive to his needs. People need to stop having kids for the sake of having kids and debate if they are really ready and mature enough to handle it

[@clossemarin3201]

Eric is and always will be dangerous!

[@Zeroshiki]

He doesn't deserve much more than a prison sentence or the same pain he inflicted on that child that did nothing to him. The failure is the justice system letting a sadistic child killer out of prison to have his own kids and do the same thing or have kids that will do the same thing he did.

[@calvinsmyth]

@@nonostalgiareviews5982 "When asked by a parole board member at the October hearing why he committed the brutal act, Smith said it was the culmination of years of emotional abuse by his father and merciless bullying by schoolmates." Taken from an online article posted by Democrat & Chronicle, written by Jeff Murray, Nov. 18, 2021. Check away.

[@mistyberrier1096]

I was absolutely TORTURED in school. Gum in my hair (my hair was really long and thick) my shoelaces tied, signs taped to my back, chairs pulled out from under me, and those r just some of the things that were done to me. But I NEVER hurt anyone like what that kid did. There’s more to that story

[@Grandpa...]

“TORTURED” back when I was in school I would get beaten and hazed, you got gum in your hair

[@mistyberrier1096]

@@Grandpa... I was beat on as well. I just didn’t say it. I was scared to fight, and when the girls found out they would take me in the bathroom and beat me, tried to put my head in the toilet once but the teacher came in. Just because I didn’t say it didn’t mean it didn’t happen. And I’m sorry it happened to you as well.

[@mistyberrier1096]

@@Grandpa... I was beat on as well. I just didn’t say it. I was scared to fight, and when the girls found out they would take me in the bathroom and beat me, tried to put my head in the toilet once but the teacher came in. Just because I didn’t say it didn’t mean it didn’t happen. And I’m sorry it happened to you as well.

[@mistyberrier1096]

And I did say that was just SOME of the things that happened.

[@MG-wk2eh]

Sorry to hear that. I was bullied throughout secondary school (age 11-16), the worst of it was when I was 13-15. I was rarely physically assaulted/touched, it was mostly verbal/psychological. I had stuff stolen, was threatened, was asked when I was going to commit suicide, treated like some diseased freak who infected anything I touched, etc. I had both aggressive and passive-aggressive bullies. The latter were more hurtful in some ways, they'd refuse to sit on a chair I sat on or touch a book I touched (in front of not only their friends and me, but the teacher, who wouldn't give a fuck). The words I dreaded most from a teacher were "split into groups of [whatever number] to do [whatever task]" because at one stage I had literally no friends in school (in fact, I never did, I only ever had acquintances in the later years - people I got along with but whom I never hung out with after school, partly my own fault, I'd become so withdrawn and the internet became my refuge, that's where I spent my weekends and summer holidays while other kids were doing normal teenage shit like going to the cinema, hanging out in town, having their first relationships, etc - I was compensating for that with online friends on Habbo Hotel, forums, etc) and I'd be the one, usually the only one, having to get assigned to a group by the teacher. Maybe this is insensitive, but I kind of wish they did just beat the shit out of me instead of all that. It's been nearly 15 years since I left school, it still cuts deep to this day. I'm 30 but I get petrified around groups of teenagers (in the streets, public transport, etc), especially in school uniform, I feel they will start picking on me at any moment, so I avoid eye contact. It never actually happens, but I always mentally revert to being 13-15 year old me around them. I admit I did fantasize about revenge. Brutal revenge. But it never occurred to me that I should hurt or bully anyone else - certainly not a toddler. Mostly what I just wanted was for them to leave me alone and a chance to be "normal". I've always been an introvert, but I'd have been so happy if I just had one good loyal friend to hang out with.

[@georgesouthwick7000]

It would be nice if Larry showed the same compassion for this guy’s victim and his potential victims as he shows for this disgusting murderer.

[@virgilkane7369]

Believe it or not , there are times when the compassion switch may actually need to be switched ' off ' .

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

I agree but not in this case in my opinion

[@reinhardperner7205]

RIGHT ON AND YES!!!! ESPACIALLY IN THIS CASE.

[@tupatshakurtis5195]

I listen to you every day Larry. I’m an ex convict. Didn’t do as nearly as much time as you (2 yrs). Thank you for all the great content

[@fatcontrollerproductions9910]

What level security were you in?

[@tupatshakurtis5195]

@@fatcontrollerproductions9910 Kentucky takes for every to get you to reception. I killed my time out in a state county jail.

[@Jnf4uk]

Love you channel man! Thank you for all that you provide for your viewers. You’d a great man and happy Father’s Day!

[@lk4871]

You’re a good bloke Larry. You help so many people through your experience. This is really what your mission in life is. Not a jewel thief but a Good Samaritan, an educator

[@grahamjordan2021]

Yeah this dude sees it from both sides for real.

[@IMEye-sq4uw]

You're a gooder bloke

[@kade1235]

just bought your book gangsters redemption and i’m loving it and i’m not even a reader much love! You should come out with more of those confession videos.

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

I’m glad you’re enjoying it! It’s 100% true

[@DreamsOfDying1314]

I’m gonna buy a copy as well, but I live here in Phoenix Arizona, and I’m originally from New York, I lived in three of the five boroughs of New York City, but I was born on Suffolk County Long Island. Every time I hear Larry speak, I feel like it take’s me right back to NY (in a good way.) “KZbin membuh prograaam.” The best! I listened to your book in audio format, but I really need to buy the physical copy tbh. I’m Jewish but my father grew up in Bensonhurst Brooklyn in the 70s and 60s, so I got to hear all these crazy stories. your channel is the best color I always try to give a thumbs up to every video you make! We all make mistakes in life, but it’s how we learn from those mistakes, and use those mistakes to change our press the situation. Larry, you constantly remind me on a daily basis why I should be appreciative of the small things I have, and I’m only 36 years old, but I’ve dealt with some craziness in my life. I was arrested many many years ago for weed, but nothing really came of it, but I’ve had to deal with my fair share of the police, so I really appreciate your channel, although I wish you would focus on talking about the NYPD a little more because there are so many corrupt people in the department. I lived on Staten Island, Manhattan, and queens; the most corrupt police I’ve ever met in the country live on Staten Island, whereas here in Phoenix they are just trying to protect the community, and as long as you aren’t being a jerk, they will be respectful, which isn’t the case with the NYPD in New York.

[@DreamsOfDying1314]

I’m gonna buy a copy as well, but I live here in Phoenix Arizona, and I’m originally from New York, I lived in three of the five boroughs of New York City, but I was born on Suffolk County Long Island. Every time I hear Larry speak, I feel like it take’s me right back to NY (in a good way.) “KZbin membuh prograaam.” The best! I listened to your book in audio format, but I really need to buy the physical copy tbh. I’m Jewish but my father grew up in Bensonhurst Brooklyn in the 70s and 60s, so I got to hear all these crazy stories. your channel is the best color I always try to give a thumbs up to every video you make! We all make mistakes in life, but it’s how we learn from those mistakes, and use those mistakes to change our press the situation. Larry, you constantly remind me on a daily basis why I should be appreciative of the small things I have, and I’m only 36 years old, but I’ve dealt with some craziness in my life. I was arrested many many years ago for weed, but nothing really came of it, but I’ve had to deal with my fair share of the police, so I really appreciate your channel, although I wish you would focus on talking about the NYPD a little more because there are so many corrupt people in the department. I lived on Staten Island, Manhattan, and queens; the most corrupt police I’ve ever met in the country live on Staten Island, whereas here in Phoenix they are just trying to protect the community, and as long as you aren’t being a jerk, they will be respectful, which isn’t the case with the NYPD in New York.

[@DreamsOfDying1314]

@@LarryLawtonJewelThief it’s funny too because I grew up in Rockland County and we lived right across the river from Sing Sing prison, and my next-door neighbor was an actual nurse at the prison, and he used to tell me that the prisoners were always nice to him because he tried to provide true health care to the best of his ability, which prisoners really could say, but given the situation of the prison system, there’s only so much a person can do to help rehabilitate others.

[@aidancoutts2341]

Nice try FBI!!!!!

[@superpedryyy]

Hey Larry! Hope you are doing great. Just wanted to say that your videos helped me to see the people around me from a different perspective. I feel like I'm a better person that I was before. Huge hug from Brazil 🇧🇷! Obrigado e parabéns pelo sucesso.

[@shreddanklands]

The more you mention your book gangster redemption, the more I wanna read it. I love your videos, gives me a lot clarity about reality as I am 19 years old who grew up around wrong, but chose otherwise. Thank you for your videos. Funny how you used to be out chasing gems, when in reality you’re the gem🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Retrobrio]

Just found your channel - excellent work! Thanks for your keen insights

[@LITTLE1994]

Going for life at only 13 is INSANE. Thanks, Larry.

[@Milsurpguy2000]

Murdering a 4 year old is insane, should have thrown away the key.

[@henrycrabb9737]

Larry I just want to thank you this video is amazing and needed to be made.

[@mrnosuchuser]

when people use the phrase "both sides", that's almost immediately a red flag. but, the empathy you convey in these videos is amazing. thank you for sharing your experiences/views.

[@Fataltyler08]

Bless your heart Larry, you've experienced much more than I have, you approach it with a certain respect with the amount of fame you have that I geniuenly appreciate. Please continue to do what you do, continue having faith in humanity as hard as it may be sometimes, and continue making videos educating people on the true nature of the prison system. Again God bless you, and I hope you can continue to do the good that you're doing, it is quite commendable to speak on such matters. It's about doing something larger than just what we have in this material world, and I think you show some people that, prison and jail isn't anywhere someone wants to be, and it's sad that the rehabilitation system isn't exactly rehabilitative but instead pejorative, a fact more people need to truly understand. We live in a truly cruel world and seeing people want to do good and to tell the stories of their own faults makes me have hope for humanity. At the end of the day Larry, just continue doing what you're doing, us on KZbin are very thankful for your words of wisdom, respect bro

[@dannyalbin7241]

You know one thing I always believe is you don't know exactly how you would react unless you're put in that same situation. I don't know how I would react if one of my kids were murdered or if one of my kids murdered someone and I pray everyday that I never have to find out. This is just a tragic case all around.

[@nbarrager]

Happy Sunday Larry, always good to see you upload!

[@mrt8179]

Someone like this even if released, should never be allowed to they're own devices. He's a clear danger to the public.

[@evinkleinman6052]

He's.mentally ill not bullied

[@ModernMystic611]

Whenever considering punishment or consequences for one’s actions, my biggest factor is justice for the victim. If someone is the victim of a murder, I don’t really look at it as “what is a proper consequence.” I look at it as “what is proper justice for the victim.”

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Nothing can be done for the victim . The question should be what is proper for both the perpetrator and and the continuance of a fair and just society .

[@putzpop]

@@pooddescrewch8718 exactly

[@prncchrmng]

I've got a brother-in-law that I've never met, he was around 14 when he was locked up and was sentenced to 40 years.... So far he's been in for 20 years Your videos give me a little insight on what to expect

[@gorillacookies3171]

He’s halfway done

[@WackyIndividual]

That’s heavy man... hopefully all turns out well in 20 years!

[@TibGamingShow]

Damm what he did for 40

[@POINDXTRMUSIC]

Man i remember when the first part of your first series was served to me when you had around 10k subs around 2 years ago. I look today and you’re at 1.4 million. So happy this took off for you Larry. You’ve taught me many lessons from a perspective different from my own. Thank you so much.

[@pepsisheen8356]

I read somewhere that "an eye for an eye" wasn't just about revenge but also served as a form of restraint. In historical contexts, when someone killed someone, the victim's family might retaliate by killing 10 members of the perpetrator's family. This principle was introduced to advocate for a more measured response - emphasizing a one-to-one retribution rather than an escalated cycle of violence. I hope this guy is doing okay. Thank you for the thoughtful, compassionate commentary.

[@watsonspuzzle]

Personally, I think the pathology of Eric is more serious than a bullied child lashing out at someone younger. I wondered what in the world must be going through that mind of his when he said he'd like to maybe work with children when he got out. He's out now, and I hope he never reoffends.

[@carson7011]

Unbelievable. What are they gonna do when he strikes again? Blame the prison system this time instead of bullies

[@Irish381]

Eric should have been given Edison Medicine, and ride the lightning!

[@Dessan01]

Yes, I’m afraid Larry skirted around the sexual element of this case - Eric sodomised the toddler post-mortem with a tree branch; I expect that was the reason he didn’t get parole for such a long time. Larry didn’t mention this as it weakened his point that you shouldn’t be locked up and have the key thrown away, though I think in this case, that’s exactly what should have happened.

[@Sniperboy5551]

He never should’ve been paroled, especially when you consider the depraved sexual stuff he did to the kid.

[@jamesmcmurray6818]

I was picked on terrible from 5th through 9th grade till I went to a school for social issues but never thought about killing anyone especially a small child

[@janecoe9407]

this is why i dont think bullyig was this childs only issue. i think he has family trauma there.

[@drax-thedarklord7605]

Yeah, bullying in itself doesn't screw up a person bad enough. They still have their family or another place where they are safe. But when you have an abusive family, (and are bullied at the same time in the worst cases).... family is responsible for child's development. Bad or abusive parenting can mess someone enough for them to kill another person.

[@0boro]

There's always this big debate about gun laws whenever a mass shootings happen but not once is someone's mental health brought up. This needs to change! Prisons should rehabilitate, not institutionalize! It's always easier for someone to just dismiss a person as "oh they were just born evil" rather than realize that they were a product of many negative factors in their upbringing and their environment. Mental health and mental awareness are important!!

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

100%

[@jamesmalcolm6976]

And most of the youths committing these things are already on some prescribed drug. So messed up

[@bobobsen]

Mental health is always brought up but used as a "see, that's why this happened, the person was crazy and it couldn't have been prevented in any way!" They don't admit the system failed them.

[@WomanSlayer69420]

This. Poor mental health + poor discipline = shit will hit the fan.

[@garytaylor8616]

Really goes back to the nature vs nurture argument

[@Tannhsr]

There is no excuse for committing such a heinous crime. I was in foster care for five years as a child, I lost both my parents, I was bullied at school, I was depressed, and grieving, but I never had the urge to kill anyone, he deserved the punishment he got.

[@thakraken6995]

Do you believe he deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail for something he did at 13 Even though as an adult now he probably is not that same person anymore?

[@darken27]

@@thakraken6995 yes.

[@thakraken6995]

@@darken27 well good thing you're not running any part of the justice system

[@soyjakpartyvideoarchive4645]

@@thakraken6995 bro be tortured a 4 month old for fun he shouldn't be out in the wild he's definitely going to kill again

[@thakraken6995]

@@soyjakpartyvideoarchive4645 if you do something as a kid does that mean you will do it as an adult?

[@wingandhog]

Your points are very well laid out. What a horribly sad situation

[@MyOwnGanja]

How can you NOT think of mental health options, when the suspect is 13 YEARS OLD...?

[@kyletally6623]

Hey Larry, been watching your videos for awhile now, and I enjoy them. Just wanted to point out that your looking really healthy these days. Keep up the good work man!

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

Thanks! I’m trying to get back in the gym more often

[@humanbagel]

I feel you on bullying. Bullies need to get CHECKED hard. I appreciate you talking about mental health- my mental health is under control because of meds, but I can 100% lose my mind and lose contact with reality. Thanks for talking about mental health!

[@yourfavoritefrog]

Agree with every sentence you have said in this video ! Thank you for your amazing analysis !

[@theidiotfiles9414]

As a child who was bullied from 3rd grade through high school up through my mid 20s because i stuttered. I can kind of relate to this the anger it causes you. I feel for this dude, but violence is never the answer I just hope that he adjusts to "normal" society, and I hope him the best

[@dan_kay]

At age 13 everything is an answer. That's why this is so cruel. You don't have the mental capacity yet to foresee the consequences of your act. That's why people under the age of 18 are not allowed to sign contracts. Because they don't know what they are doing, and they need to be protected from themselves. This little boy didn't get the same protection. Instead, the state makes him pay for one single mistake for the rest of his life. The idea of punishment is so wrong. You made a mistake? Here, let me help you and explain how things work, so you have a chance next time to avoid the same mistake. This is like throwing a puppy for the rest of his life into the basement because on his first day at home he peed on the rug.

[@theidiotfiles9414]

@@dan_kay you got to look at the one positive here he got out and he wil adjust yes it does suck that he had to go through what he had to but there is a silver lining there always is

[@adastra5346]

Violence does indeed work....it just needs to be toward the right person. The bully(s).....nothing says stop F'N with me like a ball bat to the head.....in a sucker punch style. I grew up with a bully.... until I put his ass in the hospital doing what I described above....from that point on everyone left me alone.

[@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist]

I disagree when people say violence is never the answer, violence directed at the right people sometimes is the right answer in my opinion. Some people do need beat upside the head a bit, not killed, but a good smack. But there are some people out there, that do deserve bad things.

[@Zeroshiki]

@@dan_kay Signing a contract and torturing and murdering a 4 year old are two totally different things. Killing someone isn't a mistake. He knew what he was doing. He even said that the only reason he killed him was so he wouldn't get caught and that he would do it again if he was ever released. The only mistake here is letting him free.

[@ultraviolencegaming4155]

Spread this message as far as can be. Time for my confession... when I was a younger kid i was bullied quite viciously with another kid (not an excuse, just context) until we eventually became the bullies ourselves. Eventually it all came to a climax, when we eventually bullied a poor boy so bad he attempted suicide. I will never forget what I did to that kid. I'll never forget being told that because of ME he attempted to take his own life. It was then things started to turn around

[@Joe___R]

You can't blame bullying for what that kid did. If bullying actually caused this then being a kid would look more like a gladiator match. Most kids are bullied but they don't go and kill some other kid.

[@JoeyRyot]

You should check out the story of Parker Chamberlin. He was just released after 21 years for murdering his mother. She was a 3rd grade teacher and he tried to say it was a home invasion then finally admitted it. For the longest time it was most brutal murder in bakersfield.

[@elusivegluejeff4980]

Larry, really good to see mental health come into focus. Are you familiar with the James Bulger case in the UK? James Bulger was abducted, tortured and murdered in 1993 at 2 years of age. His killers were Robert Thompson & John Venables both aged 10. It's a case that if you are not familiar with it's worth taking a look 👍

[@SuperFunkmachine]

The way Venables has repeatedly been sent back to prison and that Thompson has never been recalled really shot how different some people are.

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

I have. They also let them both out on parole. And both of them broke the rules multiple times. Ones now a convicted pedophile. He's back in jail. The other changed his name and isn't in the UK anymore.

[@davemeads859]

@@SuperFunkmachine apparently he's about to lose his protected anonymity status he won't be able to hide anymore and hopefully he'll spend the rest of his life being run out of every town he stops in until someone finally ends him

[@user-jm2xo4zb2t]

Bear in mind that these guys didnt stay in prison for so long if i recall right.. they released before they turned 30.. on the other hand we have now 44 years old man who stayed in prison for almost 30 years.. still boggle my mind

[@davemeads859]

@@user-jm2xo4zb2t totally different justice systems and attitudes towards crime

[@persevere6326]

This is an excellent assessment Just confirms how experience is superior to “book knowledge” and degrees...

[@valhallaoutcast]

Been watching your videos for a while was curious if you would cover this case since he just recently was released and the case was brought up again. Good video

[@leonardpriestley6822]

Yikes. 13 or not, maybe it's best that someone who brutally murders a toddler stays put away forever.

[@jessekauffman3336]

What that kid did is really brutal at that age

[@motomike3952]

I had to watch parts of this twice, Larry. Your snacks behind you had me distracted.

[@kittymervine6115]

I forgot this case, thank you for reminding me. He seemed so small and alone. He did do a horrible thing, but was so sad as he probably was not going to get any help in prison.

[@mfgary5094]

You’re a champ Larry! Love the work you do! God Bless

[@Kriegter]

Putting a 13 year old in prison for so many years is likely going to end up making him even more dangerous

[@Serjo777]

Precisely. He needed psychological help, not a stolen youth and all the horrors that come with prison and losing decades of your life. _Now_ they release him? After they caused so much additional psychological damage to him that nothing in this world could possibly fix him anymore? Great...

[@johnkimble4119]

That's why you never release him in the first place.

[@blackenedsprite8542]

@@johnkimble4119 never release someone because prison made them worse? Wow.

[@aliceeliot6389]

Who cares, he deserves it, just keep him locked up.

[@aliceeliot6389]

@@Serjo777 Aren't you forgetting someone? I think there was someone else who got his youth "stolen"? And not just decades, but his whole life? (how in hell do you dare to say that HIS youth was stolen)

[@ExiledBulldawg]

Larry, You hit the nail on the head about bullying and death sentences. The shootings in Uvalde and Parkland were rooted in bullying. We need to figure how to remedy bullying. The approach we are using today is making it worse. Secondly, a dear friend of mine was murdered. His murderer was caught, sentenced to death, and that sentence was carried out. And, beyond years of unnecessary court costs, nothing changed. We have structural issues in our society.

[@mrcasey69]

Like the Odyssey putter. Thanks for the great videos.

[@tomhammack1921]

Larry, this is one of your best videos that I have seen so far. I was bullied as a child, but that all stopped as I became bigger and stronger than my opponents. I could not help but notice that the murderer was 5 foot 3 inches tall as an adult. It is hard to imagine how bad prison must have been for him. I believe that he has paid his debt to society. That said, he murdered a 4 year old. If he kills anyone else, after being released on parole, there will be nothing anyone will be able to say to the newly murdered victim’s family. Thus, I would have voted against his release if I was on the parole board and I would have felt that I committed a sin by doing so.

[@josephmcgregor4877]

Losing a child is probably enough to destroy a person. Asking that person to forgive someone who killed their child is a bridge too far.

[@jesseolson3142]

No way could I forgive. In fact I would be really mad he's out and be seriously thinking about looking him up in Queens and doing something stupid.

[@Stephanie_Vincent]

I was terribly bullied as an obviously disabled redheaded pale girl when I was 13. It was BAD, both at home and at school. I was and am mentally ill. Yet I knew killing an innocent child was wrong. The fact that he didn't know or maybe didn't care that it was wrong, means he has to be closely monitored for life. I agree the school system needs to be reformed & mental health needs to be destigmatized. Good discussion.

[@SubTheHan]

really interesting video!

[@andrewmurray9898]

Why it’s so important to stop and correct bullying when you see it. That aggression and anger can eventually be targeted towards someone who was completely innocent in the whole situation. Such a heartbreaking case.

[@theKRB93]

I wish there was an objective, scientific way to determine if someone has been rehabilitated and genuinely isn't a danger to society. It seems like one of the hardest parts is not knowing what someone's future will hold, and going based off past actions only gives you an idea. It's tragic how crimes like these destroy multiple families, not just that of the victim.

[@robertmcmillan5640]

your voice here , LArry . . . . . . ripples through millions of families . Be careful what you say , but so far you are so correct . Speaking from someone who helped raise two children . It's not easy

[@tomsgreengallery]

Well said Larry. Words of wisdom

[@Cabinetbog06]

I was just watching a news article on this the other day and I wondered "what would Larry lawton think of this" and now I get to find out!

[@FutaYuuta]

There's no way this guy is normal after spending his entire childhood in the system. Maybe he had a chance to be normal if the system wasn't so broken, but growing up in a US prison? There's no god damn way.

[@gorillaau]

He went in as an early teen, get out and you are middle aged. I have to wonder what training and education was he given while on the inside.

[@adamsmythe8292]

Eff him. He brutally killed a four year old.

[@shaunsteele8244]

he spent his teen years, not his entire childhood. He was free for the majority of his childhood

[@chrisgilbert2152]

love your content..

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

Love your support more

[@strungoutny]

I actually live 10 minutes from Savona, NY where this all happened. I was 10 years old in 1993 so this story was huge when I was a kid. I couldn't believe he got released earlier this year, but I really enjoy your opinion on this case because it gave me another point of view.

[@EmulatorNoob]

I was severely bullied as a child, I had developed C-PTSD, and had homicidal and suicidal thoughts, so I understand why he did it. He wanted to feel powerful, and wanted to be in control, even if it meant hurting someone weaker than him. He was a kid, and needs to get another chance

[@Smasho8000]

He needed guidance. If he were my kid, I'd have taught him to fight back against his bullies. If the school had decided to punish him for fighting, that's all he'd get. He'd have been praised for defending himself at home. I myself have also been a victim of bullying, but not for long. I fought back against them and gained a rep for being hot-headed. 4th grade onwards, it was smooth sailing. No one messed with me after that.

[@firefly9838]

Agreed. If he shows signs of improvement and gets the mental counseling he needs I would let him out on parole after 20 years

[@EmulatorNoob]

@@Smasho8000 Didn't work for me. Actually, my angry reactions made it even worse

[@november_victor9693]

Holding onto hate gets so heavy and tiring. If I were Derek's parents I would want to know what his upbringing was like, his mental health, what he went through in prison and what the psychologist thinks. If that information was not available I would try to get a sit down with Eric to ask him. Of course I would hope they would keep a eye on him. I would want to be forgiven for my bad deeds so who am I to withhold the forgiveness someone else is seeking from me.

[@Person-eh9nr]

While I agree with Eric not being in jail for the rest of his life, I understand the parents anger. Losing a child that young must be heartbreaking, and I don't blame them for still holding onto that hate for Eric.

[@coltonwilkie241]

Do your bad deeds involve murdering innocent children? The parents are 100% in the right for not forgiving that piece of shit.

[@Rockinrn]

Good video!

[@ITIsFunnyDamnIT]

I was bullied something fierce in school and wound up developing panic attacks at a very young age, and still have panic attacks to this day from extreme bullying and teachers looking the other way. They know I was getting bullied but did nothing. However, NEVER did I once ever even think about taking someone's life or even harming someone else. At 13 I knew right from wrong. This kid knew right from wrong. He knew it was wrong to murder but did it anyway. As long as he's been institutionalized I don't think he'll ever be able to function as a normal citizen in the free world. He's been in an institution too long and I just hope they are going to keep a very close eye on him and NOT allow him t ever be near any kids. Like you said in the video. No way he'll ever be normal.

[@joeysantos3978]

I agree you know right from wrong but you make stupid decisions I had a very violent child hood and bullied I made mistakes n would lose control of my temper, what I’m saying is we are all different, and our minds function differently and at 13 your still growing 28 years trust me it’s true hell

[@jakesauer3352]

You help me so much everything you say is gold

[@LarryLawtonJewelThief]

I’m happy to help! Enjoy

[@Undecided0]

I find it hard to feel sympathy for Eric. At 13, you know what you're doing. There were teenagers that basically got life sentences for selling crack in the 90s. They don't get the same sympathy.

[@sativarosegold3604]

Yeah, guidelines need to be changed. Drug sentences should never, ever be longer than murder

[@jasonpotts6490]

I never realized Bill Burr had such a difficult early life. Glad to see he's reformed now.

[@DCBryant]

😂

[@jordywales1921]

Love your accent. Very sad case all around and it still leaves me conflicted on what should happen or have happened.

[@michelleodell6924]

I remember this case. I was a young mother of of two children who were 4 and 7 at the time. It was very hard to have sympathy for him...for me it is still a bit hard to. For me it's not so much that the young boy died, but the manner in which he was killed. It's hard to get past the fact that he basically tortured him in the process. Valid points are also made in this video. Since listening to you and Jessica Kent, I have a better understanding of what prison is like and how unjust the system can be.

[@kurtcocaine5531]

He deserves no sympathy for something like that tho. It’s understandable. In my opinion he should rot away in prison for what he did.

[@loc4725]

@@kurtcocaine5531 No offence but your comment is illustrative of the problem. I remember a shooting many years ago where a 5 year old kid accidentally shot and killed a classmate. His mother's felon-boyfriend had left a handgun lying around and the kid had picked it up and taken it to school. After the shooting the kid was effectively arrested and as he was being transported by police an angry mob formed around the vehicle with many calling for the death penalty. They had no real idea what had happened and even though they knew the kid was only 5 they still called for the state to exact revenge. The problem as you have illustrated is that people fixate on the consequences, especially if they are emotionally loaded as here. All logic & reason as well as any real interest in the complete picture leaves the building. This is something which really concerns me about jury trials with untrained jurors and even some judges. Irrational acts are usually the consequence of emotional reasoning.

[@warrenpuckett4203]

I know of a boy that lived across the street from brother that just did crazy stuff as a pre teen. Went to juvenile correction. Came back and did more crazy stuff. Then as a adult did more. He should still be out by now. But probably not. He used to throw rocks at my brothers dog. Told him quit doing it. I guess it was Rex's fault when he jumped the fence and knocked the dummy to the ground and showed the boy his teeth. Why a 80lb kid would want to mess with a 110lb malamute is beyond me. Some people are just wired wrong. Slychiatry and drugs cannot rewire a messed up brain.

[@bigaust4487]

@@kurtcocaine5531 K see this is the shit stupid ass people say and it pisses me off "oh he should rot in prison for what he's done" or "oh he doesn't deserve anything good to come in his life" like bro he got bullied and his mind got all fucked up at a very young age I bet and yes there is no excuse for what he did none at all but his mind wasn't even fully developed to know what the fuck he was doing you've gotten bullied before right? Didn't you pick on people smaller then you? Everybody did so don't even fuckin lie and say you didn't it's just Eric really went over the top and let all of his anger and hate out on to this poor kid because of bully's and whatever fucked up parents he has had it's there fault for what he did and yes I know what you'll reply with "oh it isn't there fault when he's the one that chose to do it" yea so if the bully's never bullied him and his parents actually helped him where would he be now? Definitely not in jail I guarantee if you look at any psychopath or child molester and beater you'll find out they got raped and tortured them selfs so shut the fuck up talkin about "he should rot in prison" like bro he probably didn't even know right from wrong at 13 my self I was like that and what I mean is I was like picking on smaller kids because I got bullied so don't be saying that fucked up shit bro

[@willnash7907]

@@warrenpuckett4203 Rewiring your brain is exactly what therapy and psychiatry do. Neural connections, intersecting hormonal pathways and brain departments that your thoughts and internal functions in general are mapped on. These are maliable, even more so than we used to think.

[@reallyoriginalname1221]

Hey Larry, I was wonderin if you would do a video on the kind of work you did after getting out of prison. I know that a good amount of inmates go into manual labor after being released

[@jcosson10]

Love to see the clubs in the background!

[@Meowzers1250]

It's sad that this case always centres on the killer and his emotional problems, but the victim gets barely a sentence or two. I've watched plenty of documentaries on this murder, and they talk about his bullying and issues at home etc. We always sensationalise the killer, while the victim loses their identity, and are just remembered as 'a victim'. Same with James Bulger's killers. Poor boy will always be remembered by the 2 twisted kids that killed him.

[@vileplume111]

Really sad, it should be the other way around

[@dopefreshness77]

Lets get real for a second here. The victim was 4 years old what would they say? All the corny shit they normally do? "Oh he was a sweet boy", "He loved finger painting and was gona be an artist", "Too bright for this world". Kid probably cudnt even wipe his own ass properly you think thats productive use of time? With the killer we are at least figuring out what makes these people tick so we can stop this from happening in the future.

[@michael14561]

Hi Larry, Super interesting video. We had a similar case in the UK where a child called Jamie Bulger was killed by two boys aged 10 and they were charged as adults. The whole case is a bit sick and twisted but it has similarities here.

[@MultiMidden]

One of them seems to have severe issues, the other appears to have been rehabilitated and is living with a new identity.

[@lestathecat]

I just put this case on my comment! My first child was a similar age when it happened. One is living seemingly rehabilitated and the other one is clearly and I’m not a shrink but is a total danger to any child due to being caught several times with child P***. Needs locking up for life 🤬🤬🤬🤬