Warning For Parents

Mobile County Judge Edmond Naman Mobile County Youth Court Judge Edmond Naman Says Juvenile Gun Crimes Are Way Up

by Rose Ann Haven

Published: Fri, December 12, 2008 - 10:41 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, December 12, 2008 - 10:52 pm CST

Judge Edmond Naman wants parents to know the number of gun cases he's seen this week is alarming.
14 cases this week.
One of those left a family with a loss they'll never replace.

Amid the tears and candlelight a family gathers to sing "We Shall Overcome".

"This my little hero. A lot of mothers can't say that, but, I can. I have a hero", says Arlethia James.

Her hero, her 14 year old son Nubian James died from a gunshot to the head.

"All I know is, my baby was shot in the back of his head and it came up through the center of the back of his head. That's all I know".

Police say a 15 year old friend accidentally shot Nubian in his neighborhood on Woodlawn Drive.
Mom has no idea where the gun came from.

Judge Naman says, "There are so many guns out there right now, and there are access to a gun is so easy for a young person..just for a little bit of money. They can find a gun or borrow a gun. Somebody they know has a gun. I would dare say, there is no child in this county right now. If they really wanted a gun they would have a hard time..more than 30 minutes trying to find one".

Judge Naman says juvenile gun crimes in Mobile County are through the roof. They've tripled since 2004.
He wants parents to snoop.

"I want parents to look in book bags, I want them to look under the house, I want them to look in their children's room, I want them to know what's going on", says Naman.

James says,
"My baby impacted so many lives, so many people. People I didn't even know my baby knew..teachers, principals, counselors".

Even in death Nubian, an honor student at Williamson High is impacting others.
His mother chose to donate his organs so others can have a chance to live out their lives.

Naman says,
"Tell your children, when you are around a gun
or your friend has a gun go the other way. Do not play with these guns. I've seen too many accidental deaths in my time as a judge already...too many".

Whether it's possession of a handgun or homicide,
Judge Naman says gun crimes are serious business, and carry heavy penalties.
Even though police think the teenager who shot Nubian didn't mean to..he's charged with manslaughter and could be tried as an adult.

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KxVicious Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 2:10 pm

TV and music glorify guns. The 14 cases involving guns this week were probably kids just trying to be cool.

southfan1981 Says:

Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 11:14 pm

Sadly, Mrs. Jones is a hero as well.

Thank you for donating your son’s precious organs. The gift you have given this Christmas is priceless. Thank you for being so thoughtful in this time of sorrow. Know that many people mourn the death of your son and celebrate his life.