Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

Richard Kinder was 17 when he and a friend committed a robbery that ended in a young woman's death, and the serious injury of her boyfriend. Now 65, Richard has served nearly 50 years of a life without parole sentence. A model inmate, Richard believes he has demonstrated his rehabilitation, but questions linger regarding the victim's recollection of who incited the violence that night.

This special offers an in-depth, side by side examination of two explosive cases involving juveniles initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. On re-examination of the cases, the courts determined that only one of the offenders could be deemed "permanently incorrigible", and that the other should be set free.

Miguel Gaitan is serving a life without parole sentence for the brutal murders of a family of four, committed when he was just 14. Miguel now faces the possibility of release through an upcoming resentencing hearing. But his claims of rehabilitation are complicated by his denial of any participation in the murder.

This episode chronicles the "DC Sniper" murders, and the battle over sentencing one of the most notorious juvenile murderers in American history. We examine the psychology of Lee Boyd Malvo, hear the perspective of two survivors of his crimes, and follow the dramatic showdown between advocates of juvenile justice reform and those who believe in standing "tough on crime."