Thoughts on each of the boys...

My thoughts exactly!

100% agree!

I agree with you. I did earn a degree in something related with assessment in criminal environments, which might mean that a degree is as valuable as common sense.

Sean is the example that it's not the system that has to "rehabilitate" this people, it's up to them if, how and when they want to do it.

And the problem with victims like Jacob is that they're not wrong, they have the right feelings for a person who was so severely abused. Unfortunately that doesn't mean they can be free and live a normal life. Their background ruined them, it's not something they did to themselves, but the result is the same.

Brian - I think he seems very remorseful, but I also think he is doing *a lot* of acting. The reason I say this is because there are times when he is talking about details (as an adult) and he shows some elation when doing so. Probably had no idea he was giving himself away like that. I think he may even truly want to be a different person and change but there's a reason he vetted a victim and calculated a detailed murder scenario with Torey, and the reason goes deeper than just being an outcast or disenfranchised person. It was interesting when he mentions to the adoptive mother that he told her he wanted some counseling. You notice how he mentions that the courts do not want to hear someone say they are innocent? He's deliberate and I think suffers from the same pathology as Torey, he is just more intelligent than Torey.

Torey - oh where do I even... He should be the poster child for helicopter parents who never make their children take any responsibility for their actions. "He's such a kind, kind...." Kind, kind children do not pick a victim, create a plan and then brutally murder others. I will agree with Brian that Torey is still on his first day. He's still avoiding any responsibility or accountability and both parents enable him to do just that very thing. Some of the comments that stood out for me from him in the video: "I'm horny just thinking about it" and, when explaining why killing should be legal he goes on to say if you try to restrict it people are just going to want it even more. Both of these comments suggest a pathology that cannot simply be "rehabilitated" if you will. Torey is a danger to society and he needs to never be let out. I notice how his mother looks away whenever he talks about the crime. Denial runs deep in that clan.

Jacob - he is very different from our first 2 killers. He appears to be a product of what happens when someone is pushed too far. I don't think he is the same serial killer M.O as both Brian and Torey and I do think he could be successful with rehabilitation.

Josiah - I don't know, could be like Jacob but maybe not. I felt I did not really see enough to help me form an opinion.

Sean - Sean seemed completely genuine and I don't think he had any sort of pathology like Brian and Torey.

Overall, I appreciate the documentary for showing such a diverse bunch. They were all guilty of murder but you could understand through a compare and contrast; which killers were pathological and which likely were not. It made the law make sense for me. I could realize why in some cases, not every sentence should be mandatory life without parole - but - some cases, really do need to be. I think Brian and Torey need to be lifers simply because I'm not quite sure we have yet found a proven treatment for curing someone of being a psychopath.

I watched this yesterday and I'm already struggling to remember: did they actually described Josiah's crime at all? I know they talked about his past (parents in a religious cult and repeated sexual abuse by "prophets") but I don't remember any details of who he killed and how/why. All I remember is his sister at the end saying that she needs to believe that he is not guilty. Any chance that his last name is Ivy? If so, from what I've read, he sounds about as innocent as Brian and Torey. Maybe he was (is) mentally ill, but definitely not innocent. If I'm reading about the right guy. Anyone know?

I think Brian is a monster. He clearly chose to kill Cassie because he wanted to own her, fake her for himself. And, he chose to take Z Torey down with him. By not telling the truth he continues to exert ownership and control over Cassie and over Torey. Torey is obviously an immature and weak person, which is not an excuse, but these qualities are how Brian continues to control him.
I would not be comfortable with Brian being free because he does not understand how he is a psychopath. Brian does not process relationships naturally. He chooses to own others rather than be a part of their life. The way he still believes he loves Cassie is a large red flag. That in itself tells you he has no remorse. He imagines Cassie is his to love. In fact, he imagines he alone loves her and through the act of killing her, he has appointed himself keeper of her memory.

I think Torey simply can not grow up because he is in prison. He is too immature to process his environment. As long as Brian continues to be in control of Torey's personal story, Torey will not be able to grow. Torey wanted to get away with something- I doubt he truly wanted to murder her- but he was looking to do something to make a fool out of others. This is a unique dysfunctional personality that is very difficult to get out of because the person's identity is tied to a form of escapism. Torey ties his self esteem to a private act carried out against the community. Because he is unwilling to connect with the community he can not grow.

Josiah needs to be treated with compassion. He was warped by his upbringing. As a victim, he could be rehabilitated because he knows pain. I don't think being surrounded by screaming crazies is right- as obviously you pointed out.

Jacob seems very aware. He seems to have integrity, which means that he feels justified in his actions. Considering what he went through, many people would agree. Sadly, when individuals feel justified in taking the law into their own hands, there is the risk of them feeling justified in the future. If Jacob was released and he became aware of someone who triggered his trauma through abusing a child he knows or through the abuse of power in his life, he might choose again to take the law into his own hands. There is the fact he did try to get help. If that part of the story is true and if he does feel remorse about not getting the authorities involved, he may be capable of rehabilitation. But, that is not a risk that any official should take. At this time, not ready. In future, possible. He has his brother, who could provide a connection to a functional adult as a model of an integrated survivor of abuse.

Sean seems to be rehabilitated but we see such a small sliver of him. He has spent a lot of time learning the words of religious teachings. So, unless we know his personal history and actions as a prisoner it is difficult to evaluate the quality of his recovery.

Honestly Torey scared the heck out of me with everything he said in those videos. It blew my mind that family wanted to play innocent. Of all 3 in those videos he seemed 100 times as demented with everything he said.