Several more jurors are speaking out after last month's mistrial of Brandon McInerney, who killed his gay 14-year-old classmate Lawrence King. It was McInerney who was actually "bullied" and the teen killer got a "a raw deal", jurors told the Los Angeles Times.
One juror, identified only as Lisa S. because she did not want her whole name used, said many jurors came to believe that King was bullying McInerney by making unwanted sexual advances.
"This wasn't about him being gay,'' she said. "This was about bullying. There was a ton of evidence that Larry was acting inappropriately with other kids at school, and they didn't do anything to stop him. As for the new case, she added: "It was overcharged and an abuse of power, and I don't think a new jury will see it any different."
Prosecutors announced earlier this week that they would re-try the now 17-year-old McInerney for murder. The teen will be retried in adult criminal court, but the hate crime charge was dropped.
In a series of post-trial interviews, a number of jurors took issue with the adult charges. None were "convinced" it was a hate crime. Random question: If being shot not once, but twice in the head at point-blank range doesn't count as a "raw deal", what in the hell does?
This jury was an anomaly. Next time I know they won't have the juror pool consist of patients from the nearest psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane.
Posted by: Sage | 07 October 2011 at 11:44
Like I said, the furthest I can go is that maybe noone McInerney's age should be tried as an adult.
Having said that, these jurors need to stay off the TV. they're disgusting...esp. with the "save Brandon bracelets"
And these people are proud, i tell you, of their ignorance, homobigotry, and racism.
Posted by: Chitown Kev | 07 October 2011 at 14:40
Wonder if they would see McInerney as a "victim" if he wasn't white.
Posted by: willa taylor | 07 October 2011 at 17:28
So, now being openly gay at achool constitutes "inappropriate behavior" that justifies a cold-blooded, execution-style murder???
Posted by: Nathan James | 08 October 2011 at 10:48
DISGUSTING! Unless Lawrence did something to cause physical harm to Brandon, there is simply NO excuse! This young man killed his classmate point blank range and there are witnesses! IT IS MURDER! IT IS MURDER! I'll say it til I'm blue in the face! IT IS MURDER!!
Lawrence King wasn't a punk! He wasn't intimidated and didn't walk around hiding himself in shame. This was too much for Brandon to take and he reacted in the the MOST COWARDLY way he could. Yes, he is young and maybe didn't have the maturity to think things through. However, I life was TAKEN needlessly and he must answer to that.
Posted by: Isis | 09 October 2011 at 09:55