The following is the transcript from a 30-minute live chat with reporter Sarah Langbein:

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BillyFred Question: awesome story. how did you come up with the idea?

Sarah Answer: We were following HB1109 and the Supreme Court's decision that overturned the death penalty for juveniles.

Sarah Answer: Thanks for reading the series.

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JJ_ Question: Is there any chance that any of the kids you profiled will be free?

Sarah Answer: The only way they can be released from prison is if the law is changed. Or if the Governor pardons them. And even if the law were changed, there is no guarantee it would be retroactive.

JJ_ Question: What's the point of juvenile courts then — if they are tried as adults?

Sarah Answer: It's up to the district attorney to decide what cases involving juveniles are tried in adult court. These are usually the more serious crimes, such as murder.

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JJ_ Question: So, it's not really about age then?

Sarah Answer: Yes and no. Some kids who are accused of murder are tried in juvenile court. It depends on the circumstances and the district attorney's view of the severity of the case, along with the culpability of the juvenile.

BillyFred Question: Do DA's have any set criteria for determining which cases are tried as adults?

Sarah Answer: I don't think there is anything set in stone. But I'm sure they abide by guidelines when deciding how to proceed with any case, not just juvenile cases.

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JJ_ Question: Did you really feel like any of these kids changed at all? Or were they just putting on a show for you?

Sarah Answer: Many of them have changed. They grew up. And others still haven't accept what they've done.

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Sally Question: What makes you think they haven't accepted what they've done? Did they tell you that?

Sarah Answer: Some still argue that they were wrongly convicted.

Sarah Answer: For instance, we asked each inmate how long they should spend in prison. Many said they should already be out.

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JJ_ Question: Already out!? Do they receive counseling in prison?

Sarah Answer: Very little.

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JJ_ Question: Like what?

Sarah Answer: Anger management, for example. But many of them don't receive one-on-one therapy.

Thank you to everyone who participated. We'll be having another chat tomorrow with Sue Lindsay at noon on the same subject.

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