This _child_ is as much a victim of homophobia as any gay person. He was taught to fear and hate gay people, and perhaps to hate and fear a part of himself. Gay people were taught to fear and hate themselves. At 14, he was reacting unconsciously based on what he was taught by a homophobic culture. It is his parents and community that should be tried for murder. The child should be educated and rehabilitated, not thrown away.

Everyone should be treated the same, no matter what their decision is. Decide whether being an adult is at 14 or at 18, but you can’t have it both ways.

However, I am also happy with the high profile legal representation because when young mister McInerney is convicted it will tell other homophobic people that not even the best representation is going to save them.

Ultimately, I don’t see the boy getting the maximum sentence; I came to this conclusion/guess even before the legal representation change. I do think a hefty sentence is likely, and it will give him plenty of time for rehabilitation.

Brandon acted like an adult when he planned out his crime, executed his plan and then made his getaway.

It’s not like he just burst out on Larry with his fists and beat him to death.

Brandon knew where to get a gun and how to use it.

Brandon didn’t just shoot Larry once. He shot Larry two times, once in the head and once in the back.

Just because Brandon was “physically” 14 years old, doesn’t mean that his “mind” wasn’t much older. Especially considering his childhood and how his mind had repidly matured before his body.

California – Vote “NO” on Prop. 8!
Arizona – Vote “NO” on Prop. 102! AGAIN!
Florida – Vote “NO” on Amendment 2!
Connecticut – Vote “NO” on Question 1!

Being a child is not a “get out of murder free card.” I too am glad that he has outside council. I’m happy that tax money does not have to go towards the public defenders that were appointed to try his case.

I am with David on this in that prison is not just for rehabilitation. I do not think that we should work towards “rehabilitating” those that intentionally kill another person. We can really put aside the guilt or innocence in this situation as it’s really not being disputed by anyone involved. Jail for Mr. King is punishment and the price that he should (and hopefully will) pay.

Now, so long as we are not in the ludicrous situation that was the original OJ Simpson Jury, he should be a very old man by the time he gets out of jail.

… and by the way, I’d feel exactly the same if the victim were straight.

You argue that his effect on society is not set in stone. He took a life. That is how he chose to affect society. Larry King is dead, and he’s never coming back.

Prison is not just to rehabilitate, I believe it should be a punishment. To say that McInerney is only in need of rehabilitation neglects the fact that he must be punished for his crime. The responsibility of the legal system is to determine justice, not to mollycoddle young murderers because some get teary at the idea of a life sentence for one so young.

A life sentence sure beats the death sentence he gave Larry King when McInerney acted a judge, jury, and executioner for Larry’s “crime” of being who he was.