Lawrence King Remembered: A Year Later

The murder of Lawrence King didn't get nearly the media attention that Matthew Shepard's 1998 murder got, but there will be those who will be thinking of King on February 12th.

It was on that day one year ago that 15-year-old King, an openly gay eighth grade student in Oxnard, Calif. who sometimes wore makeup, jewelry and women's clothing to school, was shot to death by 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, a fellow student who has been charged—as an adult—with premeditated murder and committing a hate crime.

According to The San Jose Mercury News, the Ventura County district attorney's office just this week filed new court documents in response to an appeal filed by McInerney's defense attorneys who allege that prosecutors had abused their discretion by charging their client as an adult.

However, the district attorney's office maintains that McInerney should be tried as an adult because he carried out a premeditated execution-style murder of King.

Witnesses cited in the district attorney's filings say that McInerney sat behind King in a computer lab class on that fateful day for about 20 minutes when without a word he fired one shot into the back of King's head.

After King collapsed, McInerney stood up and fired a second shot into King before stalking out of the classroom.

The district attorney's filings also asserts that McInerney had been known to bully students, including King, and had publicly stated that he was going to shoot King.

While the case makes its way through the legal system (a preliminary hearing is slated for March 17), a California-based non-profit called GroundSpark seeks to spark a national dialogue about youth and gender through nationwide screenings of a feature-length documentary called Straightlaced—How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, GroundSpark's executive director, the film will be screened in states including Wyoming, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Alabama in the coming weeks and months. For more information about the film, visit GroundSpark.

In the meantime, take a moment to remember King on February 12.

Image courtesy of The Advocate

Comments

[leo alvarado]

i think that kid that kill king shloud be trail as a adult ..cuz no peerson should die like in the way king die.. we are people too...not freaks.

[Robbi]

Any sentence McInerney gets is too good for him.

[Brady]

What a FREAK!! UGH! I can't believe that stupid boy just... shot him TWICE with no remorse! And then WALKED OUT! They say WE are the ones with mental instability??

[alex]

it's not fair. he's just a kid. you're not gonna fix anything by ruining his life. that's not right. sure, he did a horrible thing. but we all know that he wont fully understand it until he's older. for that reason, i think it is unjust to punish him so harshly. its just revenge, and that's sick. behind every troubled individual is a problem that we can help them with.

[Randy]

I would like to say if a kid or adult takes a life of another he should be brought to justice rather he is a minor or not just becasue it's not right in the eyes of the beholder that one take another life just out of hate. sorry but he should get what he deserves and that being the death penalty

[Calikydd]

First of all what this kid did to King is a horrible thing, and should be punished for it. It is never ok no matter how old or young we are when a life is taken in vain. If it was self defense that is one thing, but to murder someone for our indiffrences is just wrong and needs to pay for there crimes.

Alex, in my opinion he should be tried as an adult. He commited a crime that is unacceptable. To try him as a minor would set an example for future generations that is not acceptable. He is fully aware of his actions and fully understands what he has done.

The kid was 14 years old, you give him way too much credit for being nieve to life. Most kids these days are smarter and mor mature at a very early age than they used to be. Trying him as an adult is not vengence, it upholding the law.

Your comment of "Behind every troubled individual is a problem that we can help with." well that has a bunch of holes in it. Not every problem can be solved nor treated, and those that can has to be accepted by the person and cannot be forced to change. Most of the problems of today and of society first starts at home, and the way kids are raised and taught to think. acceptance is a huge factor in this teaching. Who's to say the parents are not to blame for this? What was his home life like, did he have any structure, and discapline at home? As we can see by statements and wittnesses he has been a bully to many kids of his school.

So tell me why in a case of premeditated murder should he not be tried as an adult? He planned what he carried out and walked away with out any remourse. Thats not a childs mind at work thats an adults. Where did he get the gun, how was it allowed into the school? Many questions need to be asked here, but the one that has a simple answer is that yes he should be tried as an adult, seeing as how he carried out an adult crime plain and simple case closed.

[JustAReader]

Can I set aside this murder case, and look at something else?

It seems that some people are using this to push through a radical agenda into the schools that seeks to confuse kids about their own gender

Boys need a strong male role model. They need to be taught and loved by a strong man who they can identify with. That's so missing from society today.

[lollapolusa]

It's the guns you idiots.
When are you morons going to realise it?

[corrective_unconscious]

I like the case from Philly much better in which a young gay man was being chased off a bus by a group of homophobes...and then he stabbed one of the would be bashers and the basher died. The DA didn't even file charges against him. It was ruled justifiable.

[studentlifeinsa]

first of all, we shall take a moment to remember king, and how his life was cut so short but also appreciate him for his bravery in coming out at such a young age and being true to who he is,to this day,there are many who remain closeted because of fears that one will talk about them or spread the word which is shameful...

to "ALEX", one could argue that king was a kid and how could he know he was gay but that isn't the question we should ask,becuase although a kid,he knew just as the suspect did, carrying a gun,shooting him not once but twice,running out of the classroom,I believe that goes far beyond what problems he had at home or in his mind,this isn't lets teach you a lesson and let you free and find out if we can trust you again...we cannot lose another life to these hate crimes or any crime for that matter...
furthermore, the kid who shot king POINTBLANK deserves the harshest penalty he can be charged with and although I am in support of the death penalty, this kid should get life in prison without parole and let him "suffer" in jail constantly thinking about his crime and his victim. the Hate is simply too strong out in on the streets and to let this kid walk away because he is a minor would be unjust and would NOT set the correct example. The gay community,although not the only ones who are sometimes victims should have more protection meaning laws and harsher punishment for those whom commit hate crimes. It is very sad that we as individuals must fear in our own community because there are individuals whom do not accept us. The law must be upheld and there needs to be changes,re-constructing in the penalty system. Peace

[Eddie]

Although I do not agree with the death penalty, nor should that verdict be delivered, I must say that while he is a kid we must remember these important issues in dealing with violent crimes such as this:

1) Cognitive memory begins around 4 years in an individual's life. The capacity to understand what is right and what is wrong and the ability to make behavioral deicisions begins roughly at 9, slightly before puberty. McInerney knew that he was doing wrong, that it was punishable in a legal sense and therefore has the mental capacity (at least on a basic level) of an adult.

2) It is never OK to take another's life. McInerney did a terrible tragic thing but to take his life would be undermining the breadth of human life (a very important message we are trying to impress upon today's culture). A life sentence should do just as well. Our message isn't "an eye for an eye" people often misuse this quote. The whole quote is "an eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind".

3) As a community we get so obsessed with stardom and the intricacies of their lives. Stories like these get attention but not nearly enough. We may hold a candlelight vigil in a front yard and discuss it on page 1 however the sentiments behind these actions are very shallow. We need to be out there browbeating these circumstances into our culture. Atrocities like these do happen, hate still exists and ignorance facilitates these types of criminal acts. We have become too complacent with our status in modern U.S. culture.

[Nathan]

Okay, I'll add my few cents on a few comments. First off, what happened is inexcusable, and I pray that the parties involved work to set the best example that things like this are legally wrong and will be punished by the law. Second off, I don't think it's the guns. A gun didn't tell this kid to shoot a classmate. If it wasn't a gun, it could of been a fist or a knife, but, no matter what the form, it's still him doing it. However, one fear I have is that, our community will try and turn this tragedy into a rallying cry. While these acts are tragic, I don't think their names should be brought down to a campaign poster. In my personal fight for equality, I don't bring up Matthew Shepard or Lawrence King. I think their families, who we never know they're stance, should have to live with that.

[Cee]

@ Alex, I think you are crazy and detached. The boy should be put to death. All this "he's just a child" crap is nonsense. The innocent boy he killed doesn't get a second chance at life. Why should his killer? It shouldn't matter what age you are when you kill someone in vain. He murdered that boy in cold blood. How dare anyone talk about rehabilitation and second chances.

[wallace]

I think the killer grew up with red neck parent/parents. These parents should ,and all parents should recognise that there are other people who think differantley than they do. Maybe the kids a closet case ?? Where he is going, he has no choice ! Why would these people do these things knowing they'll live the gay lifestyle behind bars for the rest of their lives. Makes no sense to me. What did they accomplish?? a gay dead, and a new child gay ! Hope he likes to get raped ! How sad . so much for machoism eh?? Where are the parents who teach these kids ?? Well now they'll have to deal with it.
All parents should know that everyone is differant. That should be appreciated as long as they don't hurt anyone. Where were the schools when this is happpening?? After columbine, this should have been seen and not tolerated, esp in calif.My new book will open up some heads I hope.

[jlee_deinleid]

"In July 2008, Newsweek reported that a day or two before the shooting King asked McInerney to be his Valentine in front of McInerney's friends."

"Meanwhile, King's father, who is unconvinced he was gay, believes that his son sexually harassed McInerney, and has expressed concern that his son is being made a poster child for gay rights issues."

Comments like these make me think this has more to do with pushing an agenda than really looking at the facts.

[Laval Umfress]

I live in Texas, and if this had happened here the parents would be liable for their childs actions, i think the child should be tried as an adult and the parents should have charges filed

[Adrian L.]

In this highly emotional case we the adults need to compose ourselves. Mcnirney is a child who was taught to hate and to that end how to respond to hate as well. Where are his parents in all this? Why hasnt there been an investigation into the reasons this boy hated King so much that his only recourse was to kill him? We need to remember that this behavior is not inherent to children it has to be ingrained into them from an early age. I blame society for Kings death as well as for Shephards and the many other young men and women who are ostracized to the point of death or suicide. It is the responsibiltyoif our government to protect each of us not just those who are deemed heterosexual. If that means providing protection at schools with education and security forces then these children should have that. Imagine if there had been a security guard with a metal detector both of these young boys lives would be saved. Imagine that with some education on the many forms of sexual identity and acceptance of each other, these boys lives would be saved. In the end the parents of both pay a heavy price for the schools and the governments lack of concern for the safety of all its peoples. let us also email this story and all stories to that separatist hate filled women Elizabeth Hesslebeck on ABC"s The View as she stated recently that not as many gay people have been killed as black people in the struggle for equality. I am not sure how many lives it will take for her to change her mind in regards to equality for gays but if our numbers are high enough she may consider it....

[Jason]

"an openly gay eighth grade student in Oxnard, Calif. who sometimes wore makeup, jewelry and women's clothing to school"

Honestly what do you expect here? The kid was dressing up as a women and going to school!!! Lets quit trying to shove our 'lifestyles' down everyone's throats and maybe this kind of tragic situation would quit occurring.

I would have made fun of a kid in 8th grade if I saw a boy dressed as a women as well.

[Bob]

To Jason - your post is so very wrong on so many levels, it leaves me almost speechless. "Lifestyles"?? Didn't that concept of gays go out with shoulder pads and Reagan? And if we all followed your 'logic', I know a few brutal bullies from my school days that wouldn't be walking around now. Saying that you would make fun of a fellow student because he didn't fit into your idea of "male", is not something to be proud of, it just make you sad and pathetic.

The whole situation is tragic. A boy is dead, and another boy will lose, at the very least, his childhood. But a murder has been committed. It was not an accident of kids playing with guns, it was not in the heat of passion. This boy planned to carry this act out. He must be held accountable for his actions.

[Hector]

Sad Sad Sad.

I think that Mcnirney Should be taken out back and shot in the head.

Alex and Jason..really..

[Hector]

i guess my last posting was a bit harsh so ill try this again.

Alex and Jason you are both morons.

This kid in my opinion should be put to death the same way he took this other child's life.

[eric estrada]

The death of King is horrible. I pray for him, his family, and the family of the young man who killed him. The young man on the other hand should of course go to jail where he will no doubt eventually be gay himself. That would only begin to heal the suffering he has caused.

[b.crane]

Without remorse, is what I have seen here written in a number of responses to this article. I think really he sounds like a psychopath. If he's not then it makes me wonder what kind of a family culture he comes from because hate is something learned.(taught) It's important to keep these people away from society. He'll have the rest of his time on earth to think about it. Keep him away from people. And for those that want to rehabilitate go ahead and try he should still stay in prison if he does succeed in that rehabilitation.

[Lonnie]

One kid's life is over. Let's not ruin another kid's life. We need to stop this from every happening again by publicly attacking homophobia WHEREVER it raises its ugly heads, whether it be Obama's invitation of a bigot to give his inaugural invokation or Fred Phelps. Enough begging rich white politicians to give us our rights. It's the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. I'm ready for lgbt liberation and the majority of the country is as well. It's up to ordinary lgbt and straight people to create the world we want to see, not non-profits and politicians!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7395565160878666485

[Chemosh]

This guy actually planned with malice aforethought his crime against an individual that he wanted DEAD. He planned to bring a gun. He planned to in advance and said as much. So what if he is 14! This is an animal that needs to be caged for his remaining life. I do not want a state that cannot approve of gay marriage being allowed to kill people thus I am against the death penalty. As for "Jason" on here...nothing is more idiotic than blaming the victim for the crime committed against them. If your nothing more than a beast in a herd then I suppose your justified in killing the "different". But guess what? That is the whole basis behind hatred of gay folks in the first place. Regardless of how you dress or act. It just makes it easier to distance you from the herd and victimize the non-conforming.

[Wyatt1969again]

Listen to all of you (well most of you).

How can you be so foolish?

NONE OF YOU – are 14 years old. NOT ONE OF YOU.

You wield your own brand of Hate and pass Judgment without the slightest hesitation – and in doing so are guilty of biting with the same venomous irrational poison which ended a child’s life.

Fuck you bitches – you need to put some shit into perspective.

In even uttering the mention of this child being tried as an Adult you simultaneously prove that there is in fact a reason this happened. So far almost every one of you has Magically Suspended the fact that the difference between an Adult and a Child is vast and very, very complicated. It is you all (again most of you) who are, much like legislation has attempted and even done, propelling a Child to status of Adult – AFTER and ONLY AFTER – this child has done the unthinkable.

You fail to yield to the very real truth behind differentiation with regard to age and maturity – particularly where the issue of capacity to commit murder - comes from.

YOU need to snap the fuck out of it.

Who it was that drew the line in the sand and why exactly they did it – is of no consequence - we readily and universally accept all laws which divide out criminal acts committed by children from those executed by persons OVER 18. Period.

Make no mistake about it – my point is not about the relative positioning of this line and instead is this:

You can not convict a Child as an Adult.

It’s that simple. And here’s why –

A Child is in fact NOT an Adult. If you choose to use your own logic (all of you) – then you will have to allow some Adults to be tried as Children. Do you do this?

No.

Why not?

Why can’t we let “John Doe” off the hook if he robs a bank? What would we say to ourselves in order to do this? We would have to accept that he was diminished in some sense as this bares greatly on his ability to make what we as society actually legislate as the right choice.

And what does that mean? About “John Doe” that is? That he demonstrated an inability to properly negotiate his way through the Adult World. That in essence and really in the scope of any pardon here – he acted like a Child.

But here’s the problem bitches.

If we suppose this then we must adhere to the same logic which would compel a Child, for instance Brandon McInerney, to act as an Adult.

Put another way – we would have to prove that a Child could not help himself because he was acting like an Adult.

So – how does one go about making an effective argument as to a Child’s mental state being so diminished that he suddenly acts like an Adult?

There’s a reason this makes no sense.

Because what most of you are all proposing makes NO FUCKING SENSE.

Now if anyone wants to introduce evidence elementary in establishing the boy’s capacity as an Adult then go right ahead.

I expect to see proof that the boy was unusually sophisticated in his ability to process not just right from wrong but really to entertain the entire concept and scope of what we hand over to each person in this Country when he or she is an Adult – 18 years old.

Anyone – and I mean anyone – who has either raised or been around children long enough to see them grow into what ever their respective definition of Adulthood “is” – knows without a doubt that children do come in the shape of a great many, chronologically, aged beyond 18 such as 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 etc.

But what many of you all are passing around is some notion that Brandon McInerney is or was sophisticated enough to look BEYOND an EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN choice and in doing so – strike with the precision and conviction of an ADULT – who has in fact considered the totality of his actions and therefore could not have been diminished in any way.

But how can this be?

It’s BULLSHIT and you know it is.

In the real fucking world, and actually, very, very, very rarely – are truly Evil Children born – I’m talking straight psychopath/sociopath from the womb.

Call it what it is bitches…

You want REVENGE – plain and simple.

For in doing this any of you will simply excuse any role the rest of the Adult world had to do with the events which led up to a murder of a child in the first place.

THAT is what’s going here…

You are turning this child into a Frankenstein and acting like a bunch of feudal – pitch fork laden – villagers – and yes it is very interesting that even in that story – culpability started first with the Dr. – otherwise know as an Adult.

So – what then do you want to happen to the boy?

He has taken a life and is now no longer free. Is it that you want to execute him so as to warn other 14 olds to not kill their classmates? If we were to kill a 14 year old Child whom we strongly believed is actually an Adult could we tell ourselves it’s O.K. because after all – the boy killed a Gay child – and that’s what it’s all about – Justice. Justice for Who? A Child who has gone onto heaven? Justice for Gay people is it? I’m not prepared to kill a 14 year old Child even when this kind of thing happens. And I don’t think any of you are either. You might say or write otherwise – but I don’t believe it at all.

If that’s the case then imagine yourself going into a cell where he boy most probably resides and sitting down next to him and putting a gun to his head and shooting him. If it makes you any more comfortable you can imagine just holding a needle which you know is full of whatever it is that will kill him. If this still bothers you at all then maybe you should try the old fashioned gallows – you can even wear the hood.

Or should we electrocute him knowing full well his body will as well as be torturously albeit temporarily induced with pain and horror?

I’ll tell you what I know I COULD do – just so you bitches don’t think I’m soft.

I could go into a cell and sit next to him and explain that he might never be a free person. That although he is not really a man – he might never be able to buy a house or do all sorts of other thing that we all know as – living a life – when he does finally become a true adult. And if he called me a faggot and insisted he was not wrong to make that choice then I would return at least once a year and see what thinks – if he thought anything at all? I would want to make sure that when it was time for me to take his life I had every reason to believe he is an incurable monster – and that – that was in fact the sum total of the human which now stood before me – whose life I was to irrevocably take – and end.

I say these things openly and honestly because when I was 14 – I was treated horribly by other children because they could tell I was Gay. Did I take it? Put up with it? No. I fought back and fought and fought until I would up at a school for juvenile delinquents.

I remember clearly having the means to attain a gun and kill a great many people.

And so too – do I know, at least, how it feels to really want to kill someone when you are 14 – I mean - to really want to do it.

Let me be clear about this shit too. When I say I was treated horribly I mean to say I was harassed every day – often beat up – spit on each day and made to go through each school day with dry phlegm now encrusted onto the back of my coat while not knowing it or being told – and then being called a scum bag by yet a whole other set of children.

It was FUCKED.

But I didn’t kill anyone. Instead – way back then – I dropped out of school. Not too glamorous but true none the less.

While I have had and sometimes continue to have an extraordinary life for sure – I am not one of those people who had anything easy growing up – at all.
I am not ashamed to admit that when I was 14 I tried to act like an Adult and do all sorts of things which Adults don’t usually do. Of course I thought they did – but that’s because even though I was one of the most clever of the bunch – ring leader actually - I was still a child.

On 3 different occasions I have had 7 different people try and kill me as an Adult. On two of those occasions they almost did.

Believe me when I tell you that when an Adult actually attempts to kill you – he – or even she – brings a whole other level to that game. They just fucking do.

Those mother fuckers should be executed for sure – they are evil people – and I could pull the switch and I would have absolutely no problem looking them in the eye when I did it.

But you see – I have never met a 14 year old that could do to me what was almost done.

If I did – I would fully expect to be looking at an Adult – in just about every way imaginable.

That’s not what we have with the McInerney boy.

I know better.

[kurt]

Children should be tried as children. It is a demonstrated fact that human brains are not fully developed until 20 or 21, perhaps even later. Why do teenage boys drive so recklessly, or take chances that no adult would? And that's for normal teenagers. As horrible as what he did is, this kid is obviously disturbed and deserves help as well as punishment.

[jay]

some information about the killers family life
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/24/it-doesnt-make-sense/

[jovinman]

Most of us have been fourteen. All with very different experiences.

Having been that age with awful memories myself, I would never compare situations. This is too drastic.

A teen... A gun...premeditated POW!! then another POW!!
In the back of his head!!!

The murderer needs to face justice.
Not just a slap on the wrist with therapy.

[What a pity!]

How cute Lawrence King is!

[What]

!!!

[Donovan]

A horrible crime was committed in which this boy should pay dearly. It is despicable to see such hate across the classrooms of such a diverse country. Being gay myself, I was picked on in school and it is just as damaging as losing your life. I feel that I still suffer the ramifications of things that were said and done. This boy should be locked up for good and to do anything less would be spit in the face. There will never be second chance for Lawrence King so there should never be a second chance for Brandon McInerney.

[corrective_unconscious]

>"While these acts are tragic, I don't think their names should be brought down to a campaign poster. In my personal fight for equality, I don't bring up Matthew Shepard or Lawrence King. I think their families, who we never know they're stance, should have to live with that."

While it's hard to follow your gibberish, Matthew Shepard's parents started a gay rights foundation in memory of their son. His mother, Judy, has spent the last decade touring the country speaking on behalf of hate crimes legislation and tolerance at gay pride fests, The Constitution Center in Philly, PFLAG meetings, and so on.

Nice of you to make up things on their behalf, though, I guess.

[Jb]

A couple different people on here have said something like

"it's not fair. he's just a kid. you're not gonna fix anything by ruining his life."

Anytime a person is capable of pulling a gun out and shooting someone not once but twice Im sorry but that makes them a liability to society and hes not a person that should have the privilege of being alive or free. Another thing if they were to slap him on wrist it would simply be sending the message "hey if your young and kill a homosexual they go real easy on you!"

Wake up people do you want that kid to be around your gay friends or family members? Murder is murder gay or straight!

[Eddie]

Wyatt this is a rebuttle to your very negative comments.

As I have stated in my previous posting the ability to distinguish right from wrong differentiaties itself in children by the age of 9 (in most typical cases). The child had to actively seek a gun, was it by mistake that he had it? Maybe his father or mother packed it for lunch. No, he stole it, or asked for it from a guardian. As the act itself, most people by the age of 7 know what a gun is used for, statistically speaking in more urban areas. The intent to kill/cause serious bodily injury was there.

Again, he immediately fled the scene after having committed the crime. Conferring to me that he knew that his actions were malicious and punishable.

Is it unreasonable to try someone as an adult after having committed a serious life-changing crime? No, it isn't. I think the legal department should press this vehemently. Why?

Children, in this post-modern culture, form identities, make independent decisions at very young ages based on cultural morality. It is here that we need to distinguish ourselves and really recognize that children are becoming adults far too early. Unfortunately this cannot be helped due to the myriad of methods one becomes culturally ingrained. However, we need to impress upon these young adults the seriousness of their actions (most of whom already know).

Thirdly, it took him 20 minutes to finally pull the gun out and shoot the student. I do not attribute this lapse in time due to senility, but his decision making process as to how and when exactly to pull the trigger. Make no mistake this kid carefully planned an execution.

Lastly, saying that anyone deserves the death penalty is wrong. Morally we should be outraged by the death penalty, yes this child took a life but what message are we sending to culture? An eye for an eye? The old pitchforks and torches mentallity has gone, let us move into this 21st century with grace. Am I advocating to let McInerney go? No, do not misinterpret me, I am saying that it is awful to take one life to compensate for another.

I am outraged that this happens, and no, it doesn't have to do with the type of clothes one wears or make-up he/she uses, it has to do with the ignorance on what our culture, the microcosm of the larger culture that is the queer community, stand for. We are a diverse peoples and we will not always fit in. Who is anyone really to pass judgement about the weird and fringe? After all, isn't that what we were once, if not still, considered?

Answer yourself these important questions when reading a tragic story such as this; What type of world do I live in if my government has the right to put people to death? (now remember that there are still 8 countries that punish homosexuality with death, am I really going to say it is ok for our government to sentence people to death for one reason and another country is prohibited from this course of action?)
Have I been a viable asset to the queer community? ( Do I have the courage and bravery to stand up for my own beliefs regarding our community?)
and lastly, What can I do to facilitate a positive discourse in regards to acceptance, at the very least tolerance, to the diversity that exists within our own diverse culture?

Do not become complacent in the world in which we live, improvements need to be made and the ages which expand the spectrum of homosexuality need to feel comfortable walking down the street being who they truly are, whatever that may mean.

[Opinionator]

The issue is not about trying him as an adult, but more like punishing his parents. Where did he get the gun from? I think his parents should be considered enablers to his crime -- if not for providing him with the gun, then maybe for providing him with a fucked-up mind. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If he gets off with a lighter sentence, and I think he will, everyone should picket his family's home. It's only just.

[Falc2]

Tried "AS" an adult. It's already an admission that he is NOT an adult. Not even close.

With right/privilege comes responsibility. He isn't old enough to have say over the lawmakers, the judge, or even his own parenting, but you'd hang this kid out to dry. Our society has decreed that it'll be another 4 years until he's old enough and responsible enough to decide if he wants to smoke, to vote... half of his age again until he can decide if he should drink... but you'd have him be held responsible for this, tried "as" an adult?

I'm as bothered as anyone that he killed a gay person without valid cause. But let's put the blame where it really belongs -- upon the parents, the school, and even upon the other kids who might have spoken up against what he planned... and upon all of society, who still finds it acceptable in some sense to judge others by their gender, orientation, etc.

If we indict this kid, we need to also indict ourselves, one and all, for our part in this happening. Get the kid treatment and counseling, punish him as befits his station -- that of a 14 year old minor child who has no legal autonomy... and let's look towards healing the problems with us and him. But no, it's not okay to treat a 14 year old as an adult -- not under any circumstances.

[Gia]

I think the most important thing we can take from this sad event. We have to teach more gender issues to kids. Some may feel this is wrong but these cases are becoming more and more to surface each day around the world.
Equally important yes though this was a hate crime we have to each learn from this and do our part to not spread hatred in our own communities. If we want change well its starts with each of us. My hearts and prayers go out to both families during this trying time.

[Kat]

You know who I blame...the parents! Alot of parents today, do not teach their kids that it's ok to be different from one another...this kid wasn't seeing Lawrence King as a fellow human being...and that's just sick to me...Lawrence King deserves justice...

[nonetheless]

After reading your post,Wyatt1969again, let me summarize what you are trying to say.
A Child should not be tried as an Adult because a Child is not an Adult. I understand that and I don’t have comments about whether he should be tried as an adult because either way justice will be served. But at the end your reasoning confused me. You mentioned…..

"But you see – I have never met a 14 year old that could do to me what was almost done.

If I did – I would fully expect to be looking at an Adult – in just about every way imaginable."

You were treated horribly sometime during both of your young age and adulthood. I am truly and deeply sorry for what happened to you. It seems like you are saying in your experience, a horrible 14 year old can never bully you the way a horrible adult do(like to almost kill you in 2 occasion, right?) and you went saying if you did meet such 14 year old kid, you would fully expect to be looking at an Adult. In this case, the 14 year old kid actually took a gun and shot King. He clearly went out the scope of your what-child-can-or-cannot-do theory. What does it make him, then? Are you looking at him as an Adult? If so, how do you support that a 14 year old cannot be tried as an adult.

[Buster6969]

WOW Wyatt,

I would call you a tard but I don't want to insult mentally challenged people. Take a Zanax, puhhhhhlese.

[James S]

In the midst of the debate, my heart goes out to his family and loved ones, may his life be remembered in the struggle for equality.

[Wyatt1969again]

Well “nonetheless” – I just finished writing a big’ol response to Eddie.

I now see your question as well – so before I post it (the response to Eddie – or anyone else for that matter) I will answer yours first (your question).

When I say, “I have never met a 14 years old” etc. – I am pointing out that, yes, I have met many people who have in fact killed other human beings - too many of them.

But not once – have I ever met a child – capable of the same thought which goes into premeditation as it is executed by a true Adult.

So – when I say, “I expect to be looking at an Adult” etc. – I am pointing that I am aware a Child is actually capable committing murder – but importantly – that I do not believe he or she would or will ever have the capacity, at the chronological age of 14, to plan and then carry out the act of murder in the same way an actual Adult can and unfortunately does.

Because of this – I can not and will not treat a Child as I would an Adult – regardless of what he or she does – even when he or she commits murder. Because the simple fact remains that a Child who murders is still a Child.

Think about it for a second. Just who is asking that the Child be treated like an Adult? Other Adults – that’s who. And therein lays the problem. Adults are projecting their sense of morality on a Child and then going further by supposing that to treat the Child as an Adult in some way effects the justification needed to do so. I know it might be confusing to read this. But the moment this happens the focus now becomes shifted to punishment for it is the Adult who endures the harsher penalty if convicted.

If you think that Children are convicted as Adults in an effort to grant greater access to rehabilitation - you are wrong.

The propelling of a Child into Adult status before they reach the chronologic age of at least 18 – is the result of emotional decision making which has resulted from, again, other Adults who repeatedly fail to assign accountability to other real Adults – because that process forces us to point the uncomfortable yet undeniable finger back at the Adults who are almost completely responsible for developing the Child into an Adult.

This isn’t just a cop out. It’s the abridgment of any Childs rights to endure, for better or worse, life.

If attempting to qualify the Childs actions as Adult like – in an effort to justify the penalty for any such action – any court will be overlooking the Childs right to remain just that – a Child. What foundation do we have for the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for children?

I assert that no single instance or act should ever carry enough weight to revoke the rights a Child already has – particularly when Laws already exist to remedy even the most horrific of events as perpetrated by Children.

There is no easy answer here for sure. But there is a reason we distinguish Children from Adults – in the eyes of the Law.

Who are we to set a trend in common law or precedence by making Children into Adults for the sake of what we know is a focus on penalty?

This is not a penalty. It is revenge.

Perhaps you should read my response to Eddie – it’s up next.

Wyatt.

[Wyatt1969again]

Eddie –

Negative comments? Sure – whatever – if you say so.

Your rebuttal is flawed. But hey – so is my spelling. How’s that for positive?

1) If you mean to say that most children differentiate right from wrong by age 9 you are correct. But you go further and use the word “typical”. There is nothing typical about a 14 year old committing murder. If you mean to infer that because the boy committed murder he may be properly viewed now as an Adult – your argument is circular and without merit.
2) Only on the surface can any act be qualified as the correct choice or the incorrect choice. You call this “right from wrong”. In doing so you minimize the impact that, in this case, inexperience due to immaturity can have on the process of deciding what choice to make.
3) You state that the child had to “actively seek a gun”. Qualify this please. Did the boy falsify documents in order to obtain a gun from a store and thereby attempt to avoid detection? No he did not. Did he obtain money or something other of value and then drive to a part of town where he might purchase a weapon illegally? No he did not. It appears as if he took a gun from a family member or something similar. This means he made a choice to obtain a weapon to some end – specifically it appears as if he did so in order kill anther child. His choosing to do this does not establish PAY CLOSE ATTENTION HERE – SOUND PREMEDITATION. If a house is on fire and a child runs to a nearby hose and turns on the water – then points it at the fire – are his actions premeditated? Let’s go further and suppose he started the fire and now realizes it needs to be put out. Does this support the act of putting the fire out as premeditated? No it does not. Do not mistake REACTION for REASON. The reasonable child would not start a fire. The reactive child would.
4) There is no denying that the boy “stole” the gun lest we assume an Adult gave it to him. But the act of obtaining a weapon for the purpose of committing a crime when an individual is in a REACTIVE state establishes unsound thinking. If you disagree with my assertion here – do you mean to imply that obtaining a weapon to exact some type of revenge is sound? Do you mean to imply that the boy was reasonable in taking the weapon from wherever?
5) In the same sentence you say “by age 7” and “people”. Do you mean to infer that a child, aged 7, is in fact a person? If so, what kind of person is he or she? A complete person? A person possessing the sophistication to rationalize his or her choices – whatever they are – in a sound manner? A 7 year old child can in fact explain to any other what, for instance, a car is. He or she can go further and explain that it requires gasoline, and maybe some keys like the one on the front door of his or her house etc. But ask a 7 year old child about indemnity based on a warranty or the rate of combustion within a piston shaft and you will find something altogether different. You will find that the child can not answer the question correctly. And here’s what makes that so interesting. The child WILL attempt to answer – and in doing so – build on a construct which has been previously created by what they BELIEVE is true. Therein lays the peril of choice and experience when coupled with an incomplete knowledge – otherwise known as immaturity.
6) In the same sentence you use the word “statistically”. Is the mentioning of “in more urban areas” an attempt to qualify your claim? Oranges and Apples. Each person’s perception is unique and when attempting to qualify his or her choices based on any analysis of any population you must be sure to disqualify any outlier. If you don’t – your hypotheses will become nothing more than a fallacy.
7) You lean on “intent” but in what context? Again you fail to answer an important question. Specifically, what kind of intent was it. You look to the result to explain the cause. This is a mistake. If you open your front door one day – only to discover a bag full of money – does it mean that Santa stopped back by the house to remedy your financial difficulties? Unlikely. Let’s go one step further and assume that before you opened the front door – you were watching the news and just witnessed a report explaining a local bank had been robbed. Does this guarantee that the bag of money on your door step came from the bank? No it does not.
8) The boy fled the scene. This establishes one thing and one thing only – until the boy actually answers that specific question as to WHY he fled the scene - it establishes that he fled the scene and nothing more. Lets say Billy and Joe get in a fight after school. Billy started it and Joe finished it. Joe runs off afterward – does this qualify Joe as “culpable” under the law? Because he ran off? No it does not. The boy killed a child and ran off. Do you think in that instance or shortly there after that the boy understood that HIS freedom was in jeopardy? That he would stand trial and possibly endure the scrutiny of our legal system under the auspice of “Adult?” Again, pay close attention here – If the boy stayed and did not run away – is he now free from recrimination? Because he shot a child in the head but didn’t run off – that makes it acceptable?
9) In qualifying whether an act is malicious or not – you assume an “intent” of your own construct exists. Nothing more. In the search for truth it will be revealed just how malicious the boy was. This “definition” of malicious as it pertains to the law will have to demonstrate that the boy knew better and made the choice to kill a child. Perhaps this is the golden question which we all want answered. It will be the most difficult to answer correctly – I will give you that. However the motive possessed by the boy must still endure a test as to whether or not his choice was the result of a thought process – unobstructed by anything a court will recognize as a defect in thinking - at least at the time the crime was committed.

I could go on but I think I have made my point – that your argument is flawed.

Now – with respect to the Death Penalty, I am not opposed to it. I do not take lightly the revocation of any life.

However, in my opinion, Evil people do exist. This has been demonstrated throughout time and the forgiving of them leans heavily on many philosophies.

Most notably many people believe only God can condemn a person to death. I believe in most of the Old Testament and yes I am well aware of Leviticus. But I also understand and accept, personally, that Jesus is the son of God and I do know the very real value of Love.

Still – when Evil is upon any of us and will not relent – then we must look to ourselves to champion the weak. In some cases Evil must be eradicated and if that Evil happens to be in shape of another Human Being then that’s just too fucking bad. I can get the job done. I firmly believe that if such an instance arises where I must take a life then GOD is behind me or at the very least will forgive me.

I accept the terms and conditions of the Land within which I live and as an Adult I do in fact accept that I must yield to the spirit of Democratic Law.

If you think I am crazy or unsound then you need look no further than any Man who rapes children – records it with an electronic device – and then sells it to other Men.

Those people do exist today. Those people are Evil. Those people should be killed.

Conviction – the ability to believe in ones choices – is ironically not always garnered from what others see as right or wrong.

I know better.

Wyatt

[Wyatt1969again]

Buster6969 -

If you dont get what I'm saying - then you're just stupid - like a zit riddled bully.

Ironic.

W.

[sad]

At the age of 14 a child should understand the difference between right and wrong. I’m sorry but we are too easy on our children today, and this is part of the reason we have so much crime. Enough with the slap on the wrist crap. At the age of 14 this young boy should pay the price for what he has done. Maybe not as harsh as an adult would be, but definitely more than the typical slap on the wrist we seem to be giving children these days. These kids need to learn that they too will be punished for wrong choices in life. It’s as if we are saying that it’s ok to murder someone when you’re young. What kind of message are we giving our children by letting a teen get away with such a crime?

[Falc2]

Oh, for the love of mud! He's just BARELY a "teen." Some may not even have hit puberty yet at that age. Wake up, people! Wyatt's right (as usual) and you guys are talking about Revenge, not Correction. WHat message does it send? Do you REALLY think that what message is sent (whatever that really means to a kid in an adult world) decides if he's gonna pull the trigger and kill someone?

The time to teach such things is when parenting. Watching TV or video games, we say either "This isn't real" and/or "We don't do things like that." But it should have started in Kindergarten, when kids are physical to each other, and mean.

It SHOULD be clear that a 14 yo is not personally responsible for how he has(n't) been raised. As such, PUNISHING him isn't okay. The only reason to keep this kid locked up is to protect society, should it be concluded that he has no moral issue with killing people he sees as strange.

We're not there. We don't know the killer's past. We don't know the details. All we CAN know is that no 14 year old should be seen or tried as an adult. To do so is to change the rules that kids live by, AND duplicity. They have no rights, no say-so over their own lives, but they can be held accountable? We could kill this kid, take his life, for doing the same thing?

This prosecution is wrong on so many levels it's hard to even enumerate them... and too many of you are like vultures or those who stare at accidents. I'm not surprised, but I am disgusted.

[Greg Baker]

I think the KILLER and his parents should be forced to extensive phycological evaluation to see where this HATE stems from. In addition, the KILLER should be tried as an adult and his parents as well.

[Don]

I can't read all the comments so I'm expressing my opinion without the benefit of everyone's insight. My thoughts are:

1) Killing someone who killed someone continues an ugly pattern and is downright inhumane.

2) A child younger than 18 is still a child and therefore needs to be treated as such. To try a minor as an adult seems to be unlawful.

3) This is a social situation going on here that needs to be addressed. Any person who has made a racist or negative statement against a person's sexuality in the presence of that child has had a hand in this murder.

4) Knowledge, understanding and acceptance of people's differences in the country and world will help to minimize if not eliminate situations like this from happening in the future.

5) What to do with Brandon? I think it would be a waste to sentence this 14 year old to a life of hate, anger and violence when there's a very, very good chance that he can be rehabilitated and become a positive contributor to this country and world. Maybe after much rehabilitation (that which is not done in a prison) he can be "sentenced" to doing, I don't know, Peacecorps work or some other kind of job where we need bodies do work. That could be his penance. But if he's rehabbed in a facility that's positive (non prison) his mind and attitude will not be poisoned and tarnished, hardened, and I feel he'd stand a chance to do good in the world.

[sad]

I never said he should be tried as an adult, but rather he should be punished based on age to a point. I'm sorry but we can't let this 14 year old go unpunished either. He needs help and we can all see that, but he also knows the difference between right and wrong. My 7 year old knows and understands that killing someone is wrong and he is only half the age of the boy who killed. We can't sit and blame television for everything. I'm sorry but as parents, teachers, and family we are to teach our children what not to do. We also need to teach these children how to deal with anger in the right way. Kids should know at a young age that television is not real. It is because people baby these kids that they are so out of control. Even the good Lord tells us to punish our children. There is a right way to go about that without going too far.