I just wanted to initiate this debate, and my opinion is NO. Even if the criminal had a tough life, I think it is moronic that people try to justify their deeds based on their previous life experiences. Even with all their traumas and everything, they are still people with minds and morale. They KNOW they are hurting people, they just don't give a shit. In fact, even only the conception of trying to justify them makes me puke, and I consider it an insult for most people with unfortunate past who turned out to be productive citizens.