Certainly a bad decision for someone that young. His father is obviously a moron, but stupid does not deserve that kind of sentence. I think the second degree murder charges against him will be non starters, but he could still get a lot of time.
Great story about your cousin. When my folks lived in Junction City, OR, I remember getting back into Canada Monday, September 3, 2001 with nothing but a driver’s license. Eight days later, that changed. I remember crossing multiple times with nothing but a drivers license. When I was a kid in the 80s & early 90s, I don’t remember my folks bringing ID for my sister and I when we frequented the crossing at Oroville. I have some humorous border crossings as well. It’s easier with kids.