(CBS/AP) A federal judge in New York has determined that the sole survivor of a pirate attack on an American cargo ship off the Somali coast is an adult.On Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys argued in a New York courtroom over whether Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse is a juvenile or an adult. Muse's age has been reported to be 15 or 18.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Peck closed the hearing for a time for fear that Muse is a juvenile. He later allowed reporters back in and told them he had decided Muse wasn't under 18.
Before court officers closed the courtroom to the media, Muse was asked if he understood that two federal defenders were being assigned to his case because he reported having no financial resources. Muse said through an interpreter: "I understand. I don't have any money."
He cried and sobbed audibly when his attorneys mentioned contacting his family in Somalia. - CBS News Story
If you are going to do the crime, be prepared to do the time. Whether or not he is an adult, if you are going to take hostages and demand ransoms and threaten to kill someone, you best be prepared for the time when you are caught.
Show no pity on this criminal. He should be tried and sentenced to the max. Send a signal to the others that this won't be tolerated.
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