On May 10, 2007 sixteen-year old Blair Holt and his friends were
riding the bus home from school in Chicago. This was Blair’s
last ride. A Chicago juvenile gang member looking for another
gang member pushes his way onto the bus and fires wildly at the
other gang member who is sitting just behind Blair. The shots
hit five people, including one which killed Blair. The juvenile
was convicted and sentenced to life. Blair’s father, Chicago
Police Officer Ron Holt, tells Blair’s story and explains why
juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) for juvenile killers and
violent teens is necessary and appropriate in the right cases.
Officer Holt says JLWOP is not a liberal or conservative,
Democrat or Republican issue; it is, in his words, a “public
safety issue.” Officer Holt believes LWOP for juvenile killers
and violent teens keeps communities safe and strong in their
fight against crime.