Trial Of Brandon McInerney Accused Of Killing Lawrence King To Begin, Staten Island Gay Bashing Victims Say Justice Will Be Served, Dad Who Defended Son From Gay Bashers Sentenced To Three Years, Zac Efron Pitches Right, River Viiperi, Prince Harry Wants To Be Your Teddy Bear

In Oxnard, California, Superior Court Judge denied another request for a delay in the trial of Brandon McInerney, accused of murder and a hate crime in the killing of classmate Lawrence King. Attorneys for McInerney made the request to interview witnesses. King was killed while in an E.O. Green School classroom in February 12th, 2008. He was 15 years old, and McInerney, now 16 years old, allegedly shooting him twice in the head because King was gay. Prosecutor Maeve Fox said she was pleased that the case was proceeding, and added that a plea bargain for McInerney will be withdrawn from consideration once the jury in the case is seated. She is offering a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for a plea of guilty to first-degree murder. If convicted at trial, McInerney faces a sentence of 53 years for first-degree murder and 40 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder. Because McInerney is 16, if convicted, he cannot receive the death penalty.

A Staten Island couple – 47 year old Luis Viera and 39 year old Richard Viera, attacked by a gang last Wednesday at an area White Castle – told an audience last night at a meeting organized by the Staten Island LGBT group that they are not afraid and that the suspects will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The gay bashing has motivated not merely the LGBT community, but straight allies. Also in attendance last night, openly gay Assemblyman Matthew Titone, who said that there was “a profound failure” in churches, in education, in government, and in the community to properly respond to hate crimes.

The 44 year old father of an 18 year old gay son was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday in Ipswich, England. Dean Canham received a panicked phone call from his son Michael begging for help after being set upon by a gang of anti-gay youths in Felixstowe, Suffolk last June. He drove to help his son, and upon arrival attacked one of the youths, a 15 year old girl, who, along with her 8 year old sister, had been harassing the man’s son. Dean Canham struck the young girl on the back of the head with a baseball bat. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm. Judge David Goodin said during sentencing that he believe Mr. Canham to be a “committed family man” who acted because he believed his son had been subjected to homophobic abuse, but that the violent response was “disproportionate.”

Zac Efron spotted Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia, taking tips from Atlanta Braves pitching coach and former MLB pitcher Roger McDowell, Efron paying a visit to the Dan Perez Baseball Camp.

The ridiculously cute River Viiperi for the American Eagle Fall 2010 collection.

Is it possible that the royal red-head rascal could be any cuter?