Don't get me wrong, I'm not excusing his moral choices, although I do think his education in that area was obviously lacking. But the guy was unemployed for two years and well; boredom plus opportunity for mischief equals trouble.

Would he have been able to do something useful with his life if he'd learned better coping skills early on?

I can't imagine the sad self-loathing low point you'd have to be at where reading strangers personal email for fun seems like a good way to spend your nights and days. But, I can see the forces at work on this guy and it does make me sad to see someone ruin his life like that.

If he he took half the time he spent on mischief and directed it at learning an employable skill he would have been successful. White middle-class Jacksonville isn't exactly the type of rough upbringing necessary to excuse self inflicted damage in my books.