Seventeen-year-old Brandon McInerney has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for the execution-style shooting of his gay middle school classmate Lawrence King, reports the Ventura County Star.
"The convicted murderer sitting at the defense table did much more than simply kill our son," said King's father, Greg, as he read from a four-page victim's impact statement that castigated McInerney, his lawyers, the jurors, the school system and The Star, among others.
"He robbed us of one son and stole from his brother a lifetime of companionship, leaving him instead a lifetime of grieving. He subjected his own family to shame, guilt and profound level of remorse — emotions he has yet to display," Greg King said.
McInerney, 17, sat motionless as the back of his neck turned deep red. Just as he did throughout his nine-week trial, he showed little emotion as the judge sentenced him to 21 years behind bars for the use of a firearm and voluntary manslaughter. Though McInerney also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, a plea agreement stated he would serve time only for the manslaughter and firearms charges. He is ineligible for parole and will not get credit for the nearly four years he has been in jail.
King also blasted the Hueneme Elementary School District, which operates the junior high school where the 15-year-old son was killed in front of dozens of classmates in February 2008. The father has previously blamed the school district for "encouraging" his son to "act gay."
Witnesses have testified that King's "feminine attire" and gender identity was upsetting some students and faculty at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard. The defense has portrayed King as sexually "aggressive" and suggested that McInerney was "provoked."
Lawrence King was living in a group home at the time of the shooting. State child welfare authorities had previously removed him from the family home. King's parents filed suit against the school district after the murder ... accusing authorities of not enforcing the school dress code.
Rod 2.0's complete coverage on Lawrence King HERE.
Justice? I guess.....
RIP Lawrence
Posted by: Isis | 20 December 2011 at 14:48