I can understand editing out comments about some social events that he is accused of attending, although if a writer personally observed him drinking at a party, is that really unfounded?
The comments on this forum, and others in town, lean toward wanting to punish him for his actions as this was NOT a one time event where he just happened to be speeding. Per the police report he was driving at 83 MPH on Foothill, he attempted to use a turn lane to illegally pass, he hit the cyclist so hard that his car was not able to be driven and he refused to cooperate with the investigation by making a statement. What about any of that says "youthful mistake?"
Another poster, Claudette McDermott, states "In a second it could be You in the same spot that this 18 year old is in". Not in this lifetime Claudette! This 18 yr old killed an innocent cyclist because that is how he lives his life. I do not drive at more than double the speed limit -- on a regular basis, and post photos to document it -- I do not illegally pass in a turn lane, I do not recklessly endanger the lives of innocent people. No responsible person that I have ever met could possibly be in the same position as Cody Hall because we simply do not do those reckless things.
For that he needs to be soundly punished and removed from the streets for a very long time. Remorse for that kid? I think not. The only lasting effects he will likely feel are hatred toward the judge and jurors who might take away his personal freedom for a while. After all, he sees himself as a victim who simply made a "youthful mistake".