-blogged by @theRealAlexisDanielle
Wealthy white teen, Cameron Terrell, was recently acquitted of all charges for his known involvement in the gang-related killing of 21-year-old Justin Holmes. Some are calling him the real-life Malibu’s Most Wanted, — which is the perfect example of race and class privilege — while others say he was a misguided teen.
Terrell, who is a resident of a very elite Los Angeles County neighborhood and lives in a $2 million home, was arrested back in October in connection with the murder. According to prosecutors, Terrell was a member of a gang and drove two members to a rival territory where the slaying of an innocent man took place. After the shooting, the two men were caught on video jumping into a car, registered to the father of Terrell, before the car sped off. All three were arrested and Terrell was released on a $5 million bail, while the others were denied the right to bail due to their juvenile status. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Now, during a recent trial, a jury declared Terrell was innocent in the entire ordeal. While prosecutors presented evidence of Terrell’s alleged role in the death of Holmes and his known gang affiliation, Terrell’s defense team painted a different image. Instead, Defense Attorney Jovan Blacknell argued that Terrell was actually just a teen who was fascinated with the gang culture and read books about the crimes he was being accused of. It was even stated that the photographs of Terrell wearing gang colors and throwing gang signs with the gang in question were not real, but instead a “fantasy world.” And as for Terrell’s “W” tattoo, which is reportedly said to represent a clique in the area, Blacknell argued that for the 18-year-old it was just an ode to NBA player #KevinDurant, who has the same tattoo as a dedication to his hometown.
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According to Deputy District Attorney Tricia Taylor, though there are Facebook pictures, messages, and videos proving Terrell’s gang affiliation, “he doesn’t take any of that back to Palos Verdes.”
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Following the verdict, Terrell, who is heading to the University of Houston in the fall, offered his sentiments to the family of Holmes.
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“I want to say rest in peace, Justin Holmes,” he said. “He shouldn’t have died that day. I pray for his family every night.”
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What are your thoughts?
