Comments on: Calif. teen faces trial in gay classmate’s killing

By: Sara Bellum

Sara Bellum — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:44:59 +0000

We deny many civil rights to children because we don’t believe they are mature enough to handle them. We allow others to have control of their persons. We don’t allow people under 18 to enter into contracts because we don’t believe they can be held legally responsible. Etc. Many things that would actually be crimes if directed at another adult.

But then we create confusion when it’s convenient for us. We allow soldiers to kill but not to drink. Increasingly we just decide to change the rules. We arbitrarily decide to hold juvenile offenders to adult standards because it makes us feel good to be “tough on crime.”

While as a society, we certainly need to control anyone who would act in such an egregious manner, it is also to our benefit as a society to take circumstances into account. In this instance, one of those important circumstances is that the killer (admittedly a horrible murderer) was 14. 14 just is not equal to 28 no matter what the circumstances.

By: Trace Eggers

Trace Eggers — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:10:33 +0000

Alec, you’re right. 53 years honestly is not nearly enough for taking a life voluntarily, premeditated and without remorse.

By: Alec Slane

Alec Slane — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:49:23 +0000

Did Brandon do a horrible thing? Yes. Does he deserve 53 years in prison? No. Brandon was 14 at the time of the murder. Not only was he 14 but he was greatly influenced by adults in his action. Most people who are for Brandon being sent to jail and tried as an adult are gay. I’m gay myself. But does anyone see the situation? He was 14! His mind is like a sponge. Brandon isn’t mature enough to be tried as an adult. First of all he performed the act in broad daylight filled with witnesses. Secondly he told people he was going to kill him. If you were to murder someone would you do that? No. Everything he did points to the fact that he is a child and hould be tried as one. Yes a boy died. Yes there should be repremands for it. But should we punish a child so severly for performing an act so outragous? No. He should be tried as a child or tried as not guilty under reasons or insanity. Its so sad that so many people can make immature remarks regarding a boys life just because the victim was gay. Yes its sad he died a young child because of his orientation but that doesn’t mean brandon should be denied a chance to live his. He needs to be instabilitized in a youth center or a behavioral health hospital.

By: OhPlease

OhPlease — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:50:26 +0000

I would venture to guess that he learned his hate the old fashioned way, at church.

By: Wayne M.

Wayne M. — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:41:59 +0000

This whole episode is very sad. No, I don’t want anyone to be subjected to capital punishment or extremely long prison terms, but there must be justice. The first step in justice is realizing that hate crimes must be treated as hate crimes and that spreading hate is not free speech or a traditional value.

By: Anthony M Brown

Anthony M Brown — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:33:25 +0000

It amazes me that some people can’t, or refuse to, see a connection between the intolerance and outright bigotry toward gay people that exists within certain religious groups and the actions of 15-year-old Brandon McInerney. Hatred is learned, at the dinner table and from the pulpit. Loving the sinner but hating the sin does not register to a confused 15 year old.

By: Twisted Pride

Twisted Pride — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:31:49 +0000

So sad

By: Joey in CT

Joey in CT — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:15:55 +0000

The parents of Mclnerney should also be held accountable. The child was “incubated” in their household. He was obviously taught from a younger age that it is Ok to hate a person because they’re different. In stead of teaching acceptance and love for fellow human, they taught hatred and bigotry and should receive consequences for their in-acion. The boy didn’t just have these feelings spontaniously. They were there from day one, lingering in his soul.
Monkey see – Monkey do.

But like posted before…2 young lives lost to hatred and intolerance. Sad, sad, sad.

R.I.P. to both of them.

By: katchafalinstar

katchafalinstar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:07:26 +0000

no parole. it is so sad that usa has incubated the mentality that is it alright to act out in violence when we don’t agree with the way someone choses to live their sexual life.

By: Yukkuri

Yukkuri — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:41:53 +0000

Let justice be swift.