http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/19/california-teen-sentenced-to-21-years-for-killing-gay-student/?test=latestnews VENTURA, Calif. – A Southern California teenager was sentenced on Monday to 21 years in state prison for killing shooting a gay student in the back of the head during a computer lab class three years ago.
Brandon McInerney, 17, didn't speak at the hearing but his lawyer Scott Wippert said his client was sorry for killing 15-year-old Larry King.
"He feels deeply remorseful and stated repeatedly if he could go back and take back what he did he would do it in a heartbeat, Wippert said.
King's family said they couldn't forgive their son's killer.
"You took upon yourself to be a bully and to hate a smaller kid, wanting to be the big man on campus,"' King's father, Greg King, said on behalf of his wife. "`You have left a big hole in my heart where Larry was and it can never be filled."'
In a deal reached with Ventura County prosecutors last month, McInerney agreed to avoid a retrial and to plead guilty to second-degree murder, as well as one count each of voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm.
A mistrial was declared in September when jurors couldn't reach a unanimous decision on the degree of guilt. Several jurors said after McInerney's trial that he shouldn't have been tried as an adult.
Leading up to the February 2008 killing, teachers and students saw a dispute growing between King and McInerney, who shot King twice in the head in a computer lab at E.O Green Junior High School.
McInerney, then 14, had reached an emotional breaking point after King made repeated, unwanted sexual advances toward him and other boys, defense lawyers said. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, school administrators allowed King to wear heel
