One INCREDIBLY big misunderstanding...the things i did that were illegal were not harming in my mind, society just took them that way. And eventually the individuals involved took them that way, but in the moment I didn't perceive what I was doing as harming or exploitative, because I took everyone's feelings into account (at least my perception of those feelings). Had I known the full repercussions (not just for myself, but for all parties involved), I would never of done those things. But the legal system is very rigid, especially when they took what I did in terms of being "male". Hard to believe such a nice guy like me was charged with a 1st degree felony, 5 2nds, 1 Class A Misdemeanor, and 5 Class B's (As an adult I probably would of gotten a at least 50 years, if not a life sentence, possibly with no parole). That is precisely why I don't judge people based off of criminal history, because you never know the whole story.
And just a little side note, Diego never killed anyone to for material gain, at least from what I gathered. It was more of pressures from fellow gang members, drug influences (I think he was on meth), and a huge sense of not having any purpose. He didn't "choose" the gang life. Joined when he was seven, because his brothers and all his "bros" were that way. When he committed the crimes, he was only 14. Hardly able to think in terms of long-term consequences (both for himself, his victims, and the world at large). Of course he knew what he was doing wasn't good, but I don't think he understand the full repercussions of what he did. Should they just let him go free, because he is just a kid? Of course not. But how sad that he ruined not only his life, but the lives of his victims, their families, and his family all to fit in. God this world is just one massive conglomerate of f****d, don't you think?