July 23, 2009
Calif. teen faces trial in gay classmate's killing
David Foucher READ TIME: 1 MIN.
A Southern California junior high school student has been ordered to stand trial in the fatal shooting of a gay classmate.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ken Riley said Wednesday that there was enough evidence to try 15-year-old Brandon McInerney for the February 2008 shooting death of Larry King, also 15. McInerney will be tried as an adult.
Riley says he agrees with prosecutors that the shooting was premeditated and has added the special circumstance allegation that McInerney was lying in wait.
Authorities say McInerney shot Larry twice in the head during a computer lab at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard.
McInerney has pleaded not guilty to murder and a hate crime. He faces 53 years to life in prison if convicted.
David Foucher is the CEO of the EDGE Media Network and Pride Labs LLC, is a member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association, and is accredited with the Online Society of Film Critics. David lives with his daughter in Dedham MA.