[benjibrowder]

I’m sorry, this case is pretty clear cut. A fourteen year old kid brought a gun to school and shot someone execution style. Does the school share some fault for letting King act the way he did? Yes. But the kid, both of them, knew exactly what they were doing. A guy coming up and flirting with you does not justify killing them.

And the family is disgusting. They knew about abuse going on in the home and just stood by? Isn’t this how serial killers develop?

[Pollster1]

But the kid, both of them, knew exactly what they were doing. A guy coming up and flirting with you does not justify killing them.

I agree, but at age 14, killing a bully when all adults have refused to intervene is very different from the sort of predatory murder that justifies trial as an adult. They should have tried the killer in juvenile court, where a guilty verdict on some charge would have been more appropriate. Adult murder and a hate crime (as if the second charge matters with murder) was excessive, and that is, I assume, why the jury could not decide.

[trisham]

I disagree. This case is not "clear cut". The shooter was only 14 years old, and was abused by his father. He can't escape harassment at school by this sick classmate, either. No adult helps him and he's only 14 years old! The classmate wasn't "flirting" if his attention wasn't wanted and he knew it was unwelcome.

That's not flirting.