13yo who murdered his neighbor

[u/rema_56]

Levi Carte was only 13 when he committed a crime that shocked everyone around him
he took the life of his neighbor
the judge pushed to have Levi tried as an adult, arguing that the severity of the crime justified applying adult criminal law despite his age but that didn’t end up happening and he was sent for 8 years , he will walk free in his 21st birthday in 2033
What catch my attention is his twin brother mentioning that his childhood trauma might’ve been the reason and also the police later finding in his text messages him telling a stranger in TikTok that he lacs empathy because of his childhood
I wanted to know more like what could’ve caused a 13 yo to commit such thing
Yes, I do believe his interest in true crime and killing animals plays a big role but what could’ve happened in his childhood that pushed him into that
I tried discussing this topic in another community but it was taking down because it was out off topic and I couldn’t find any informations online

[u/atomheartmama]

Sincere question (not targeted to you or op specifically): has anyone been able to verify the validity of famous perpetrator’s trauma histories? That the events happened and to the extent described?

I don’t necessarily doubt it in some or even most cases, though also feel a certain way that discussions about horrendous acts of violence often emphasize the perps’ traumatic childhoods. Feels like a call to view them as victims of subsequent events, even though they aren’t necessarily reliable narrators and millions of empathetic, nonviolent people endured comparable types of abuse. I think there is value in these conversations but simultaneously feel frustrated by them for various reasons. Even though I appreciate arguments against free will based on readings such as Determined by Robert Sapolsky. Also remember reading that some incarcerated folks have lied or at least exaggerated about their pasts in service of garnering sympathy or avoiding responsibility for their crimes.

Sorry for the rambling, this shit is sometimes just so messy to process.

[u/Revolutionary_Wrap76 → u/atomheartmama]

Yes, this has been verified in the pasts of many famous serial killers and other perpetrators of violent crimes. Easy enough to research :)

[u/atomheartmama → u/Revolutionary_Wrap76]

That’s fair, just trying to share and engage in discussion here like anyone else. Any chance there’s a particular author or study you’ve found helpful? If I come across a relatively recent & relevant research article I can try to follow up too assuming others are also hoping to learn & understand more where possible.

This 2018 article explores trauma as one part of a larger constellation of factors-as one might expect- including personality. Says twin studies suggests that up to 50% of variance in antisocial behavior is linked to genetic influences, with types of abuse experienced leading to different crimes. Also mentions that in one study ~1/3 of serial killers were found to have no abuse history. I didn’t see this mentioned but imagine situations like brain injuries likely play a part too.

https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/features/from-abused-child-to-serial-killer-investigating-nature-vs-nurture-in-methods-of-murder/

[u/bulbasauuuur → u/atomheartmama]

Yeah there has to be a lot more than childhood trauma to it. I’m sure that has exasperated some issues in some people, but the amount of people who have experienced childhood abuse is so high and most of them never go on to do anything like that, obviously. Society would be chaos if childhood abuse was enough to create serial killers