Tyson Langley, 15 year old Smoke Shop Murder Suspect, returns to Phoenix
Tyson Langley just came to Phoenix after being accused of a horrific double murder at a Phoenix smoke shop. What punishment should he face? Should he get the death penalty? Should he be tried as an adult? Should he get life in prison? These are all questions I asked, and answered some, with regard to another juvenile murder case just recently ("Braden Matthew Rockriver, 16 years old, to be Charged as Adult in Denna Strebe Case").
Langley allegedly killed Kenneth Matlock and Melinda Bowen and then shot Robert Troutman, who had a non-life-threatening hip wound.
For more information, see my interview above or read what I told ABC 15 and Angie Holdsworth ("Teen suspect in Peoria shooting back in the Valley"):
Legal expert Vladimir Gagic, who is a defense attorney, said by statute the prosecutor has no choice but to charge the teen as an adult in this case.
"Anyone who is 15-years old who is involved in a violent crime is automatically charged as an adult," he said. "Being that he is 15-years old he has a better chance than say a 35-year-old of getting out. But based on what I've read and considering the heinous nature of the crime, it wouldn't surprise me if he spent the rest of his life in prison."
Langley invoked his right to remain silent. "It makes his case better that there is no confession," said Gagic "It is quite astonishing that someone 15-years old has the presence of mind to invoke his right to counsel."
Comments (7)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endanonymous - January 23, 2012 12:44 PM
It occurred to me that this kid just SNAPPED in a moment of insanity. Is it possible that he will be able to get a temporary insanity plea? I'm just curious.
Logan - January 23, 2012 5:31 PM
I knew him...This wasn't like him at all...And for you all who don't know him: Shut the FUCK up. He was very nice.. and he probably did just snap...
trlmx - January 24, 2012 1:33 PM
Whether he was a 'very nice' kid or whether or not he just 'snapped', it's still a heinous crime. You young kids that knew him and are defending him, what do you think his punishment should be? What if it had been your mother he shot execution style in the head, or your father?
Royal - January 26, 2012 1:57 AM
You kids' need to grow up. You don't have the life experience's as of yet,to make a valid account of your friend. I'm 41 year's old right now and i was friend's with a child molester and i didn't know it. So how can you say i knew him!!!!!! Life is full of surprise's. So, buckle up and get ready for the g-ride baby. Friend of the family, of 1 of the murder victim's. Rest in peace Melinda Bowen (shell). Rest in peace Mr Matlock.
Gabby - January 31, 2012 6:45 PM
I knew Tyson & he was a sweet person . He was really shy, but he had good friends & was just a sweet heart . For you all to talk crap about him it's not right . You don't know & neither do I how his life was . The boy just snapped . Yeah , he did the wrong thing , but he doesn't deserve shit from people who know nothing of him . Don't judge a book by it's cover . Tyson , what you did was really wrong, but God forgives you & i'm praying for your family & you .
dani - January 31, 2012 9:46 PM
I dont know this kid nor would I. all i have to say is you little kids on here dont know what friends are yet. there are so many things that people hide all the time. Melinda(shell) was my aunt and i think its sad you kids are okay with what he did. I f it were your mom. or dad, or any type of family memeber then you would know how it feels to see her laying in a casket because some stupid kid snapped.. people go through troubles through their whole lives but that doesnt give them the okay to shoot and kill people. Think about that before you stick up for a kid who couldve done it to your family memeber and not cared.
shoop - February 4, 2012 10:27 PM
Unbelievable... We do hide things its a survival technique, honestly any "friends" of jared loughner Jr..... Nows the time to hide the fact that you ever knew this kid. It doesn't matter that he used to seem good or that you forgive him, you should pray he finds the lord because that's the only forgiveness that counts in the end. May god have mercy on the sicko's soul, if he snapped or was good or changes, for now let's refer to him as sicko.... Or lucky it wasn't my mother, id imprison myself to get close enough to him to help him "unsnap". All you tyson lovers can lick lint.