Anybody else wonder?

Despite the actor's age the character was only seventeen. In theory he could be tried as a minor though he probably was tried as an adult. Anybody else feel sorry for him? He was not a true psychopath like that other kid just troubled and picked the wrong friend. I imagine him in prison getting passed around like a bong to all the big strong men who like to rape 17 year old boys.

Any chance that he would get a sentence other than life sans parole? I would assume in Caifornia you have to be at least 18 to qualify for death penalty?