California teenager charged with the shocking murder of a gay classmate is going to trial

Craig Fiegener
InstantPride.com

(Note: The video report on the right is from September 2008.)

The California teenager charged with the shocking murder of a gay classmate more than two years ago will finally go to trial.

Brandon McInerney will face trial in the shooting death of classmate Lawrence King. King was the 15 year old student in Oxnard, California
who was out, and effeminate, and the subject of jokes by some fellow students. McInerney is accused of shooting King, at school, in
February of 2008. The teenager is being charged with a hate crime, and has pleaded not guilty.

McInerney’s attorney had made a request to delay the trail– which had already been postponed, even after two delays in the arraignment. The defense attorney told a judge that he needed more time to interview witnesses, he wanted three months, but the judge said no.

Under California law McInerney is being tried as an adult, and not in juvenile court. If he’s convicted as charged, including the hate crime allegation, he could go to prison for 53 years to life. He is not eligible for the death penalty because he was a minor when King was killed.

The on-campus shooting stunned the gay community and school administrators in California. King was known for being out, occasionally wearing feminine clothing, and for being comfortable with his sexuality. The prosecution has alleged that McInerney shot King at the start of a morning class, possibly because McInerney feared his gay classmate had a crush on him.

Some of McInerney’s family members have loudly voiced their belief in his innocence.

It’s unclear when the actual trial will begin, but the judge’s ruling clears the way for the next step; picking a jury.

Filed under Headline, News A1, Video Library