No it certainly is not. Empathy is something many children need to be expressly taught. It's not a "given". In fact I dont believe there is a such thing as a "given".
Everyone seems so furious and stunned at an adolescent committing a violent crime. This is common stuff. Adolescents, and younger, kill one another all the time. Violence is easy when you have absolutely no empathy for other human beings.
Also I notice our court systems are violating their own legal constructs and philosophy. A crime, irrespective of it's nature, does not somehow make a 13 year an adult. If the courts believe in treating 13 yo victims as children then 13 yo alleged perps must also be treated as children. Anger, which is all this sort of treatment is based upon, should never factor into the decision of a reasonable, just legal system.
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
