Feb 11 • 22:59 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

The Big-Eared Kid is Chasing Us

The article discusses the debate surrounding juvenile justice in Argentina through the historical cases of Simón Radowitzky and Cayetano Santos Godino.

The article examines a pressing issue in Argentina's legal system concerning the treatment of minors who commit violent crimes. Recently, prosecutor Manuel Beltrán called for the death penalty for Simón Radowitzky, who killed Federal Police Chief Ramón Falcón, igniting a national debate on how to manage juvenile offenders, particularly since Radowitzky is claimed to be underage according to a Ukrainian birth certificate. The discussion around juvenile delinquency has been a contentious topic in Argentina since at least 1909, reflecting society's struggle to balance punishment and rehabilitation for young offenders.

The case of Cayetano Santos Godino, infamously known as El Petiso Orejudo, is also highlighted. Godino was convicted of murdering four children and injuring ten others while being only 16 years old, raising questions about the accountability of minors in serious crimes. Since the age of 7, he had been in and out of police custody for various offenses, leading to public outrage over his repeated violent behavior. The media's portrayal of Godino paints a grim picture of juvenile crime in Argentina, further fueling the debate about appropriate legal responses.

The article ultimately underscores the complexities of juvenile justice, especially in the context of violent crimes committed by minors. It invokes historical cases to highlight ongoing challenges faced by policymakers in determining how to effectively deal with young offenders while considering their age and capacity for rehabilitation. This debate remains crucial as society seeks to find a balance between justice for victims and the potential for reform in young offenders.

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