Lawrence King's School Records Are Released to Accused Killer

Confidential files and school records of murdered gay teen Lawrence King are released to the defense attorney for the classmate accused of killing him.

William Quest subpoenaed the documents for his defense of 14-year-old Brandon McInerney. The Ventura County Star reports the records are sealed.

The records were provided after a court order was hammered out Thursday by attorneys in the case and signed by Superior Court Judge James Cloninger. Under the protection order, only those who are directly involved with the prosecution or defense of the case will have access to the records.

Quest's efforts to get the records were temporarily thwarted after the King family's lawyer, Steve Pell, tried to quash the subpoena, unsuccessfully arguing that the matter belonged in the confidential confines of juvenile court.

Last week, Cloninger ordered that the records be provided. Later, he reviewed the documents to determine which portions were relevant.

The 15-year-old Lawrence King self-identified as gay and often wore feminine clothing and/or makeup to E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California. On February 12th, classmate Brandon McInerney allegedly shot King in the head during class. Reportedly, King had a crush on his classmate and gave him a Valentine's Day card.

Quest claims his client believed King was "harassing" him. The subpoenaed records are expected to "disclose information on King's behavior during the time he was living at Casa Pacifica, a center for troubled and abused children located near Camarillo, and attending Green School." Names of other students whom King may have had problems with are expected to be released.

A recent, much-criticized Newsweek cover feature tried to give credence to this theory and claims school staff ignored complaints about King's behavior. On a related norte, the deceased boy's parents, Dawn and Gregory King, blame the school for allowing their son to wear makeup and feminine clothing. The parents claim this was a factor leading to his death and filed a claim against the school earlier this month.

Defendant Lawyer Receives King Papers [VCS]

Some Background ...
Defense Will Have Access to King's Records [R20]
Defense in King Case Looking for Speedy Trial [R20]
King's Alleged Killer Will Be Tried As An Adult [R20]
Will Lawrence King's Killer Be Tried As An Adult? [R20]
Mixed Messages [Advocate.com]
Newsweek's Disturbing Feature on Lawrence King [R20]
WaPo Profiles 15-Year-Old Openly Gay Teen [R20]
News: Noah's Arc, Lawrence King, Black Gay Youth [R20]
News: Pope, Lawrence King, Simmie Williams [R20]
News: Obama, Clinton, Pharrell, Lawrence King [R20]

Comments

[Luther]

So, it seems as though the victim will be put on trial, the legal system in this country is so bad and eyes wide open, that they may as well let the alleged killer off right now.

Sign me as totally DISGUSTED.