Poll: Adult court for the Sayreville football players?

There was a report out early this morning that Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Cary is mulling the possibility of trying the 7 defendants charged in the Sayreville hazing incident in adult court.

As it stands, three of the seven are charged with aggravated sexual assault as a result of the four locker room incidents that thus far, have divided the community.

All 7 are currently in the juvenile court system.

Carey is being very careful as to how he proceeds; as well he should be.

While he has to consider the seriousness of the crimes, whatever the arrest history of the accused, and the wishes of the victims; he knows full well that trying them as adults will only make the penalties harsher – and not release them to society as better people.

I would have to consider the wishes of the victims first. Thusfar every story that’s come out about the scandal has centered around the cancelled football season, the future of the coaches, etc. In other words, everything but the real victims.

But does making a new set of victims out of the accused work to the betterment of all involved?

My gut tells me “no!”

And somehow, above the din of some members of the community at large calling for their heads; I would imagine the actual victims wouldn’t want that either.

Would that necessarily help them heal?

So while a “slap on the wrist” wouldn’t serve the interests of justice – neither would sending them into an adult facility – where we’d only be creating a new set of victims.

Should the Sayreville 7 be tried as adults?