Ohio School Shooter Snuck "Killer" T-Shirt Into Court

The Something Awful Forums > Main > General Bullshit > Ohio School Shooter Snuck "Killer" T-Shirt Into Court

Jubs: Jul 10, 2006

TJ Lane was sentenced to three life sentences for the Chardon High School shooting last year. It seems he wasn't satisfied with just killing two and injuring three students. Lane decided to make a show at his sentencing:

"ABC News posted:

Wearing a T-shirt with "killer" scrawled across it, a teenager cursed and gestured obscenely as he was given three life sentences Tuesday for shooting to death three students in an Ohio high school cafeteria.

T.J. Lane, 18, had pleaded guilty last month to shooting at students in February 2012 at Chardon High School, east of Cleveland. Investigators have said he admitted to the shooting but said he didn't know why he did it.

Before the case went to adult court last year, a juvenile court judge ruled that Lane was mentally competent to stand trial despite evidence he suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies.

Lane was defiant during the sentencing, smiling and smirking throughout, including while four relatives of victims spoke.

After he came in, he calmly unbuttoned his blue dress shirt to reveal the T-shirt reading "killer," which the prosecutor noted was similar to one he wore during the shooting.

At one point, he swiveled around in his chair toward the gallery where his own family members and those of the slain teenagers were sitting and spoke suddenly, surprising even his lawyer.

"The hand that pulled the trigger that killed your sons now masturbates to the memory," he said, then cursed at and raised his middle finger toward the victims' relatives.

I can't recall someone acting so brazen during a sentencing before. How would you react if you were a family member in the courtroom? Would you ever be able to forgive? I'm usually a forgiving person, but I don't think I could in this case.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:12

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# ? May 19, 2013 19:43

Morally Inept: Mar 5, 2012; Can't post for 29 days!

I've seen videos before of family members jumping over the low wooden wall to start wailing on the person convicted of killing their loved one. I think this would have been appropriate for this situation too.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:15

Madcosby: Mar 4, 2003

When I had jury duty, I snuck a sandwich into court once. Where's my thread?!

But seriously, the only reason to do this is to have the media make a story about it. Congrats on feeding this guy the attention he desires.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:15

Jubs: Jul 10, 2006

Madcosby posted:

When I had jury duty, I snuck a sandwich into court once. Where's my thread?!

But seriously, the only reason to do this is to have the media make a story about it. Congrats on feeding this guy the attention he desires.

I thought people who were being sentenced wore orange jump suits and were handcuffed.

Edit: This article tried to explain it.

Jubs fucked around with this message at Mar 21, 2013 around 00:24

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:19

Madcosby: Mar 4, 2003

Jubs posted:

I thought people who were being sentenced wore orange jump suits. Why would he be allowed to wear the shirt in the first place? Why didn't the judge make him change?

Watch how much sleep I'm going to lose caring about these questions

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:21

hemophilia: Dec 28, 2006; Bloody

I think it does a good job of drawing a spotlight on the fact that this kid was tried as an adult, and mentally competent, despite some apparently obvious mental health issues. That he's not in a criminal asylum amazes me.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:22

Awesome!: Oct 17, 2008; 'nuff said.

Madcosby posted:

Watch how much sleep I'm going to lose caring about these questions

Why would you want dudes from the internet to watch you sleep?

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:22

Safe and Secure!: Jun 14, 2008; "Those who are more likely to do evil are conveniently cursed with an evil appearance. It even helps the rest of us good people avoid them, so that we can stay safe."

Madcosby posted:

Watch how much sleep I'm going to lose caring about these questions

I like to imagine that your avatar posted this.

And that your avatar will be watching you sleep.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:22

Capn Beeb: Jun 29, 2003; Can it be fired with a massive erection?

I was wondering how long it'd take for someone to do this, considering how the media sensationalizes shooting folks.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:23

Real hurthling!: Sep 11, 2001

hemophilia posted:

I think it does a good job of drawing a spotlight on the fact that this kid was tried as an adult, and mentally competent, despite some apparently obvious mental health issues. That he's not in a criminal asylum amazes me.

America doesn't really have those. Prison is for everyone nowadays.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:25

blugu64: Jul 17, 2006; Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face?

Jubs posted:

How would you react if you were a family member in the courtroom? Would you ever be able to forgive? I'm usually a forgiving person, but I don't think I could in this case.

Honestly I have no idea how I'd react, but I'd really hope that I'd pity the guy. I mean at this point the damage is done, wearing a provoking tshirt is just trying to push buttons, so if you let him push your buttons he wins again.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:25

Azathoth: Apr 3, 2001; Bronie for Life / Bitcoin afficionado

Morally Inept posted:

I've seen videos before of family members jumping over the low wooden wall to start wailing on the person convicted of killing their loved one. I think this would have been appropriate for this situation too.

It's a testament to the families of the victims that this didn't happen. I suspect that by this point, given his history, they probably expected something horrific to happen, but I can't imagine that they'd be prepared for something like that. Now they've got his voice in their heads saying those awful words.

Jubs posted:

I can't recall someone acting so brazen during a sentencing before. How would you react if you were a family member in the courtroom? Would you ever be able to forgive? I'm usually a forgiving person, but I don't think I could in this case.

Forgiveness is something that needs to be offered, even if they don't want to be forgiven. I honestly think the world would be a better place if there were more responses like the one to the Amish school shooting. I cannot fathom how difficult it would be to forgive someone of something like that, but I don't believe that true healing can happen while someone holds onto hate.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:27

Tim Selaty Jr: May 16, 2011; No, fuck YOU, Dad!

It's really sad that school shootings are no longer that noteworthy, to the point that I don't even remember this school shooting happening

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:28

PIPBoy 2000: Oct 29, 2007; I'd be a lot more helpful if my clues button weren't broken.

Three life sentences seems appropriate for this gently caress.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:29

Pon de Bundy: Dec 29, 2006; Can't post for 31 hours!

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:32

Awesome!: Oct 17, 2008; 'nuff said.

Pon de Bundy posted:

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

They took the death penalty off the table in exchange for his guilty plea.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:33

Wildlife Analysis: Jul 26, 2008

Pon de Bundy posted:

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

This is what we need more of, killing the mentally ill.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:35

Pleads: Jun 9, 2005; Pew pew pew

Good thing this person will now rot in the brutal system that is the United States prison complex instead of getting any semblance of the treatment he most desperately needs for his psychosis.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:38

TheNobleNegro: Feb 27, 2013; by Y Kant Ozma Post

Wildlife Analysis posted:

This is what we need more of, killing the mentally ill.

According to the juvenile court, he was competent enough to stand trial.

Pleads posted:

Good thing this person will now rot in the brutal system that is the United States prison complex instead of getting any semblance of the treatment he most desperately needs for his psychosis.

You left out "industrial". If you want to stomp your feet and cry about how awful America is, when referring to our prison system, at least use the preferred designation "prison industrial complex".

TheNobleNegro fucked around with this message at Mar 21, 2013 around 00:41

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:39

Pon de Bundy: Dec 29, 2006; Can't post for 31 hours!

Wildlife Analysis posted:

This is what we need more of, killing the mentally ill.

Sociopaths have no redemption. Ever wondered why Saudi Arabia's crime levels are much lower than ours?

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:41

Paradox Personified: Mar 15, 2010; SoroScrew

Pon de Bundy posted:

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

Wait, I thought the last thread like this had %98 of the posters agreeing, and running out anyone who disagreed, that killing someone in the name of justice is completely wrong; as wrong as gunning down a bunch of people. Rehabilitation was deemed best, then life in prison with a system similar to that of Norway was 2nd in place right after rehabbing, since jail is horrible/corrupt and boosts recidivism rates.
How'd we skip from that to "kill him since he killed other people"?

This is not sarcasm, just a tiny question.

Pon de Bundy posted:

Sociopaths have no redemption. Ever wondered why Saudi Arabia's crime levels are much lower than ours?

Whoa, not true. Do some research. It's a bit tougher for those with ASPD, but serious therapists and doctors have had success with rehabilitation for "sociopaths." Not impossible by any means.

⇣ Edit: Oh wait sorry, gimmick posting. Sorry I didn't catch that first go-round.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:41

Wildlife Analysis: Jul 26, 2008

TheNobleNegro posted:

According to the juvenile court, he was competent enough to stand trial.

You are right, the US justice system is perfect. Please go post more threads about scared white people.

Pon de Bundy posted:

Sociopaths have no redemption. Ever wondered why Saudi Arabia's crime levels are much lower than ours?

You are joking, right?

Wildlife Analysis fucked around with this message at Mar 21, 2013 around 00:44

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:41

Fluffy Bunnies: Jan 9, 2009; Half Dog.

Half Horse.

All Awesome.

PIPBoy 2000 posted:

Three life sentences seems appropriate for this gently caress.

I'm pretty sure one life sentence is enough.

The guy's life is over, he knows it's over, and the world hates him. I guess he figured he didn't have much left to lose in trolling people while in court.

E: It's still a terrible thing to do, regardless.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:43

Captain Beans: Aug 5, 2004; Whar be the beans?

Real hurthling! posted:

America doesn't really have those. Prison is for everyone nowadays.

Quiz for Non-Americans/Anyone not understanding US mental health:

What is the largest mental health provider in all of Texas?

A: The largest hospital system in Texas, Memorial Herman
B: Harris County Jail

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:46

Volcott: Mar 30, 2010

Wildlife Analysis posted:

This is what we need more of, killing the mentally ill.

If a mentally ill person kills a bunch of people, it's in the best interest of society that they stop being a thing. Being sent to prison or an institution forever will do in a pinch.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:50

Copley Depot: Jul 9, 2009; This space reserved for future text.

Awesome! posted:

They took the death penalty off the table in exchange for his guilty plea.

I thought it was because he was 17 at the time of the shootings. But maybe trying him as a juvenile was part of the plea.

Wonder if he's a lefty or a righty.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:51

AxeManiac: Nov 13, 2000; Always Drinking

Well, I would have wrote "Not Guilty" on my shirt, but I'm an optimist.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:52

Duck_King: Sep 5, 2003

Looks like the Wiki vandals got to this one.

Wikipedia posted:

The Chardon High School shooting occurred on February 27, 2012, at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, United States. At the time of the incident, it was the most hilarious shooting in a public high school in the United States since 2005.

It's a sad state of affairs when I can honestly say I barely even remember this school shooting happening.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:52

Ireland Sucks: May 16, 2004

Pon de Bundy posted:

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

Because he was 17 when he committed the shootings. I know the US has a reputation for executing teenagers and the insane but I guess those bad times are behind it.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:53

...of SCIENCE!: Apr 26, 2008; 43 species of parrot?! Nipples for men?! SLUGS?! Are we not in the hands of a lunatic?! If I were creating the world I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, 8 o'clock, day one!

You know that paralyzing sense of self-loathing you get when you remember the small slights you committed as a teenager?

Twenty years from now nobody's going to hate this kid more than he himself does.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:54

Wildlife Analysis: Jul 26, 2008

Volcott posted:

If a mentally ill person kills a bunch of people, it's in the best interest of society that they stop being a thing. Being sent to prison or an institution forever will do in a pinch.

You do realize there is this cool new thing called rehabilitation, and it works for helping those pesky things known as mental illnesses, yeah? We could also work on improving the living conditions in this country but that is hard. Might as well just kill some peeps. Yeah, sounds good.

Good to see we've got Sigmund Freud on the case.
VVV

Wildlife Analysis fucked around with this message at Mar 21, 2013 around 01:01

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:54

PIPBoy 2000: Oct 29, 2007; I'd be a lot more helpful if my clues button weren't broken.

The guy woke up in the middle of the night to write "Killer" on a prison t-shirt and was very careful to sneak it into the courtroom without anyone noticing. This doesn't sound "mentally ill." This sounds downright evil.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 00:56

The Bible: May 8, 2010

Pon de Bundy posted:

Why isn't he being executed? Weak justice system.

Because while he is a brutal unfeeling animal, the rest of us strive not to be.

"Killing is wrong, so let's kill him" doesn't make a lot of sense, and even if it did, killing is what uncivilized immoral criminals do.

A better question I like to ask death penalty advocates is who do you expect to execute him? Would you do it? Could you? Could execute another human, who is currently not a threat to you or anyone else?

If not you, then why do you expect someone else to dirty their hands in holding up your will? If so, that's disturbing. Well adjusted, civilized people just don't kill one another.

Not that any of this matters. America has more people in jail than any other country. Recidivism is higher here than any country with decent jails and no death penalty. The death penalty is not an effective deterrent and only serves to create more future victims.

If you need blood, then by all means, support the death penalty. You're creating future victims, but hey, that's more blood for you in the future. If you support actually progressing society and helping people, criminals and their victims alike, follow the rest of the world.

The Bible fucked around with this message at Mar 21, 2013 around 01:04

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:00

Mundane Shell: Apr 5, 2011

If he's still that pissed, I have to wonder what they did to him that made him kill them *and* be so remorseless about it. Or, you know, he's mentally ill and the people he killed were perfectly innocent. . .

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:00

dk2m: May 6, 2009

Wildlife Analysis posted:

You do realize there is this cool new thing called rehabilitation, and it works for helping those pesky things known as mental illnesses, yeah? We could also work on improving the living conditions in this country but that is hard. Might as well just kill some peeps. Yeah, sounds good.

You forgot the

at the end of this post

I genuinely hope the families affected find a way to cope. I don't give a poo poo about this guy at all, he said he doesn't even know why he did it? gently caress off, even Anders Breivik had a reason as hosed up as it was to take innocent lives. This guy? "LOL I DUNNO" seriously no sympathy whatsoever.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:02

Volcott: Mar 30, 2010

Wildlife Analysis posted:

You do realize there is this cool new thing called rehabilitation, and it works for helping those pesky things known as mental illnesses, yeah? We could also work on improving the living conditions in this country but that is hard. Might as well just kill some peeps. Yeah, sounds good.

Good to see we've got Sigmund Freud on the case.
VVV

I'm all for rehabilitating people who haven't committed mass murder.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:03

DFu4ever: Oct 4, 2002

Out of curiosity, are we simply labeling all murderers as mentally ill these days when these threads pop up? Because that seems like it really underestimates how terrible completely sane human beings can be.

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:03

...of SCIENCE!: Apr 26, 2008; 43 species of parrot?! Nipples for men?! SLUGS?! Are we not in the hands of a lunatic?! If I were creating the world I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, 8 o'clock, day one!

PIPBoy 2000 posted:

The guy woke up in the middle of the night to write "Killer" on a prison t-shirt and was very careful to sneak it into the courtroom without anyone noticing. This doesn't sound "mentally ill." This sounds downright evil.

As somebody who watches a lot of network television shows about crime, I

FARRRRRTTTTTT

Take that, so-called "experts"

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:04

Awesome!: Oct 17, 2008; 'nuff said.

dk2m posted:

he said he doesn't even know why he did it? gently caress off, even Anders Breivik had a reason as hosed up as it was to take innocent lives. This guy? "LOL I DUNNO" seriously no sympathy whatsoever.

Would you have sympathy for him if he had some bullshit reason?

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:05

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# ? May 19, 2013 19:43

Paradox Personified: Mar 15, 2010; SoroScrew

Volcott posted:

I'm all for rehabilitating people who haven't committed mass murder.

And those who have, should we murder them en masse?

# ? Mar 21, 2013 01:05

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