Should Larry King’s killer be tried as an adult?

At issue in the trial of Brandon McInerney for the murder of Larry King is whether McInerney should be tried as an adult. Many people, including gay rights groups believe he should be tried as a juvenile. This in no way minimizes his crime. However, it does recognize that the McInerney is a child and may be able to alter his life with help.

Sadly, the defense attorney in this case seems to lay some of the responsibility on King’s behavior and alleges the school should have intervened. That defense cannot be taken seriously.

This case is very sad. GLSEN has made the Day of Silence this year in tribute to King’s memory.

13 thoughts on “Should Larry King’s killer be tried as an adult?”

  1. He should be tried as an adult and given the death penalty.

    Make an example of him and people should learn that it is not right to kill your fellow human being. Maybe this way parents will try harder to teach their children to respect life and other people’s rights.

  2. This in no way minimizes his crime. However, it does recognize that the McInerney is a child and may be able to alter his life with help.

    I’m not disagreeing that he should be tried as a juvenile, but why is it we think that only kids can turn their lives around with help? Are adults not capable of this same kind of transformation? And when does one cross that invisible line from changeable to unchangeable?

  3. The person who opens up his heart and home and invites everyone in, regardless of their background, just like Jesus did, and demonstrates what Jesus taught without wanting recognition for it in terms of a label, will reach more hearts and minds than we could ever imagine

    Amen to that sister!!

  4. Wendy,

    My experience has been that if individuals or groups of people are talked over with terms and words they do not understand, and if it is done in an assumptive manner as though they should understand, then feelings of separation and exclusion take hold. Jesus taught in the most simple of words so that everyone, regardless of their background or current belief, could understand Him. These people gravitated to Him because they felt included rather than excluded, and because of that, wanted to learn more about Him. He never referred to himself as a Christian or mandated it as the only way to be kind and ethical or understand each other – rather, He said “come, follow me”. I sincerely believe if Christians would identify themselves more with their actions and words towards others based on what Jesus taught, rather than continually using a term that has too many meanings for those who do not understand, then more people would gravitate to them and want to know more about their beliefs. This is how Jesus brought people to him and it is good enough for me to “follow”. The same for all people with differering beliefs – if the identities are center stage, the assumptions will follow. Assumptions separate and cause defenses that will always cause mis-understanding. If the words and actions come first, then perhaps that will be all the knowledge that is needed to identify the person. There is a very big divide right now that has manifested into so much anger, mis-understanding, and exclusion. It is almost like someone who has a big home and continually tells everyone that he is rich and makes it sound like those who are not can and never will have the same privilege because it is an exclusive club. The person who opens up his heart and home and invites everyone in, regardless of their background, just like Jesus did, and demonstrates what Jesus taught without wanting recognition for it in terms of a label, will reach more hearts and minds than we could ever imagine.

  5. Re-reading my second comment – I should just say that I did not intend to paint gays and Christians in two different camps. Of course there are gay Christians. And yes, Ann, you always do a good job reminding us that there is more to the conversation than just Christianity…. many people of many backgrounds are bearers of light – and many are not. Seems to me that is the presence of common grace among us.

  6. To be fair, Nick R’s statement should me amended to say that “Once again it is the gays reported to be bringing the light…”

    Do we know that Christians weren’t making the same appeal? But it wouldn’t have been news if they said it; people expect that the Christians wouldn’t favor adult treatment for this crime. Some would charge then that they were oblivious to the seriousness of this crime, that they minimalized the value of a young gay life. In this situation, the voices favoring mercy had to come from within the gay community. I’m glad they did.

  7. And ultimately, it is the district attorney’s decision as to weather or not he should be tried as a juvenile or an adult. The decision was not a gay nor a christian one to make – only a legal one decided on by officers of the court – who may or may not be gay, christian or otherwise.

  8. It seems to me that humility rather than pride or comparison will always hands down be a more effective conduit for light.

    Thank you Wendy – very well said. I would also just like to add that one does not have to identify as a Christian to be a conduit for light or doing what is morally right – there are people from all over the world who have different religions and faiths and beliefs who are able to recognize themselves in others and all the things we have in common and want to protect that by doing unto others as they would have them do unto them. It would be so cool to acknowledge the role we all play in civility to each other.

  9. Perhaps it is fair to simply say that some gay people in some situations are wonderful bearers of light and some Christian people in some situations are wonderful bearers of light. And some gay people and some Christian people in some situations suck at bringing forth the light.

    As for this non-gay Christian person, I pray that I bring forth light more often than I don’t….. and certainly want to be the first to recognize and applaud when my gay brothers and sisters DO bring forth light. i also want to be the first to acknowledge that there are plenty of opportunities for Christians to bring forth light where they fail.

    It seems to me that humility rather than pride or comparison will always hands down be a more effective conduit for light.

  10. Despite the natural inclination to seek a sense of vengeance in a case like this, I applaud the gay groups that have spoken out for McInerney to be tried as a juvenile. This seems to me to sing of Kingdom values in putting humanity ahead of vengeance.

    In every way this is a tragic case. But I think this support of trying him as a juvenile brings in a tiny ray of light.

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