An update on the tragic murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King, which is the focus of a somewhat uneven cover feature in the latest Newsweek. The Ventura County Star reports a hearing scheduled tomorrow will address if 14-year-old murder suspect Brandon McInerney will be tried in juvenile court.
McInerney's attorney, William "Willy" Quest, filed a legal motion in June asking a Ventura County Superior Court judge to dismiss the prosecution of his client in the adult criminal justice system so the case can go back to juvenile court.
In his petition, Quest argued that the state law allowing a 14-year-old defendant to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole is cruel and unusual punishment.
On July 7, Senior Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox submitted her reply to Quest's legal arguments. She stated that Quest is raising "the same old arguments" already addressed by the California Supreme Court.
California prosecutors have wide authority to file charges in criminal court against juveniles 14 years without having to go to a judge. In this case, McInerney's mandatory sentence, if convicted of murder and a hate crime, ranges from 41 years to as much as 51 years to life.
That's not the general position of the gay community and "a coalition of 27 LGBT rights groups" want prosecutors to "try McInerney in juvenile court, not as an adult."
Fifteen-year-old Lawrence King, who was biracial, troubled, and, from a dysfunctional home environment, sometimes wore makeup and believed he was gay. On February 12, McInerey allegedly shot King at E.O. Green School in Oxnard as students were working on English assignments. McInerney's attorney argues that the school failed to intercede.
Hearing Set Over Trying Teen As An Adult [VCS]
Student's Slaying Focus of Cover Story [VCS]
Some Background ...
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]
You're absolutely right, BANJIBOI. My only concern was for people who excuse "normal" heterosexual behaviour(i.e making advances to one's object of affection), but can't fathom a gay person doing the same. I don't understand either how that is similar to harassment and/or rape like CJC is suggesting...
Posted by: Shabaka | 24 July 2008 at 10:15
Shabaka, it seems that the CJC is/was some troll or Christian. No sane gay person, especially a 'left wing' married gay in Canada, would repeat those talking points comparing a 14 year old gay boy's crush to rape or stalking.
There are no easy answers here. I sincerely wish the best for both families, and am disheartened that Lawrence's father is taking such a contrary approach. His approach encourages the fundies and the anti-gay bullies.
Posted by: Carter | 24 July 2008 at 12:13