Lawrence King

A Southern California teenager who shot a gay classmate to death three years ago avoided a retrial by pleading guilty to second-degree murder, a deal that will send him to prison for 21 years. Brandon McInerney (now 17) pleaded guilty to the murder charge, as well as one count each of voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm. The case drew wide attention because of its shocking premise: McInerney, in a fit of homophobic rage, killed 15-year-old Larry King at school because he was offended by King's dress and how the victim interacted with him.

Brendon McInerney is accused of killing Lawrence King (pic) execution-style in their Southern California junior high school classroom in '08. A jury deadlocked on its decision after a previous trial, so he will be retried on murder charges. McInerney was 14 and King was 15-years old when he was killed. Openly gay King was seated in the middle of the classroom with two dozen students and their teacher when McInerney allegedly shot him in the back of the head, authorities said.

Deputy Public Defender William Quest said the school is at fault for not taking action when conflict began between Lawrence King and his murderer. Brandon McInerney [14], is soon to be arraigned for the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Lawrence King.