3 boys admit plot to slay teacher over failing grade

[CShine]

Three boys admitted yesterday they plotted to kill a Lemon Grove special education teacher after school in March. The boys, ages 13 and 14, face anything from probation and home detention to commitment to a youth prison until they turn 25. They are scheduled to be sentenced June 21 in San Diego Superior Court.

Prosecutors agreed to drop attempted murder and weapons charges when the youths pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Lawyers negotiated the plea bargain as a trial was about to begin after Judge John L. Davidson ruled that statements one of the boys made to a detective could be used in court. After accepting the guilty pleas, the judge said it's impossible to say what sentences the boys face. A prosecutor said he would study the case more before recommending a sentence. Defense lawyers said they hoped none of the boys would go to the California Youth Authority, the state's prison system for juvenile delinquents.

The boys all admitted they devised the murder plot and brought a gun and ammunition to Palm Middle School. One 14-year-old boy said he was going to shoot the teacher. Another, also 14, admitted he brought the gun from his father's house, and the third, 13, said he planned to act as a decoy.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20040611-9999-7m11palm.html

[displacedtexan]

1. Special Ed?????????

Scary! I can't even begin to imagine how prosecutors will come up with sentencing recommendations for these kids! They plotted a murder, yet they obviously have no idea that grades for special ed students don't really mean shit outside the school building.

What a moral dilemma!