A Los Angeles jury has acquitted Cameron Terrell of all charges in the 2017 shooting death of Justin Holmes, 21. The verdict has sparked a big conversation online, with some people pointing to the role race and class may play in the justice system and others saying Terrell was a misguided teen.
Terrell, who is from an affluent Los Angeles County community, was arrested in October in connection with the killing. Prosecutors said he drove two other people into rival gang territory, where Justin was shot. They said surveillance video showed the two get into a car registered to Terrell’s father, which then sped off. All three were arrested. Terrell was released on $5 million bail, while the other two were denied bail because of their juvenile status.
At trial, prosecutors presented photos, messages and videos they said showed Terrell’s gang ties. Deputy District Attorney Tricia Taylor told the jury that while the social media content showed his affiliation, “he doesn’t take any of that back to Palos Verdes.”
The defense told a different story. Attorney Jovan Blacknell argued that Terrell was a teen fascinated by gang culture who had read books about it, and described the photos of him in gang colors as part of a fantasy world. Blacknell also said a tattoo of the letter W was a tribute to NBA star Kevin Durant, who has the same tattoo as a nod to his hometown. Prosecutors had said the tattoo was linked to a local clique.
After the verdict, Terrell, who is headed to the University of Houston in the fall, spoke about Justin’s family. “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.”
What are your thoughts on the verdict?
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