School Shooter Found Guilty
The conviction of a Mississippi teenager who killed two of his high school classmates sets a precedent for juries in similar cases.
Luke Woodham received two life sentences for the deaths, plus 20 years on seven charges of aggravated assault. The attack came last October, when Woodham went on a shooting spree and Pearl High School. He killed a former girlfriend, Christina Menefee, and another student, Lydia Dew. Seven other students were also wounded.
It took the jury four and a half hours to find Woodham guilty of murdering the two young women and wounding the other students.
After the sentencing, Woodham apologized to the victims and their families.
"I am sorry for the people I killed and the people I hurt," Woodham told the courtroom. "The reason you don't see any more tears is I have been forgiven by God.
"If they could have given the death penalty in this case, I deserve it."
Woodham was sentenced to life in prison last week for fatally stabbing his mother, Mary Woodham, 50, before the school rampage. The terms will be served consecutively.
Since October, other school shootings have occurred at West Paducah, Ky., Jonesboro, Ark., and Springfield, Ore.
Christina's father, Bob Menefee said he hopes the conviction will stop further outbreaks of school violence.
"Hopefully from this courtroom a message will be sent nationwide that this type of crime will not be tolerated in our society," Menefee said.
"Christina will be missed by all of us, and the great things she would have accomplished will be missed by all of you," Menefee said Saturday.
Circuit Judge Samac Richardson sentenced Woodham to the maximum allowed two life terms in prison for the killings and 20 years for each of seven aggravated assault charges.
Six other teen-agers, including one whose case was moved to youth court, face trials on conspiracy charges related to the shootings. Some of the six - plus Woodham - are linked to a cultlike group called "The Kroth."
Earlier Friday, Woodham testified that the murders were the result of heartbreak over losing Christina and a fascination with occult rituals.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Woodham sobbed as he tried to explain why he opened fire at students.
Woodham testified that after the breakup he fell under the influence of Grant Boyette, 19, who introduced him to the occult.
"He told me I had to kill my mom," Woodham said. "He told me I had to get the gun and the car and go to school and get my revenge on Christy and cause a reign of terror."
Woodham's attorneys, while admitting he was the triggerman, had argued that he was insane. They said they will appeal all convictions.
District Attorney John Kitchens called the defense claims "mumbo jumbo."
Richardson also ordered Woodham to pay extensive fines and restitution so he won't "profit directly or indirectly" fro the crime.