Central High shooting suspect to be tried as an adult:

Accused Central High School shooter to be tried as adult:

Today a judge in Knoxville ruled that 15-year-old Jamar Siler will be tried as an adult in the murder of Ryan McDonald. Siler shot and killed McDonald in Central High School last year.

Siler’s defense attorney, as defense attorneys are want to do, trotted out the old ‘blame society’ dog and pony show.

Siler’s attorney says the situation isn’t cut and dry. “This is a case– a classic case– of someone who has fallen completely through the cracks all his life,” Russ Greene said.

Greene brought in an expert witness who argued that because of his client’s chaotic and disturbed childhood, he should be committed into treatment.

You can fall through all the cracks you want it doesn’t change the fact that it’s common knowledge that if you shoot someone in cold blood like that you go to jail.

The judge has to be commended for mentioning a concept you often don’t hear in these matters…

“Justice. I know that’s a common statement in situations like this, but that’s all we have. We just want to make sure that the outcome, whatever it may be, serves Ryan,” Roger McDonald said.

That’s what this is about. Justice for Ryan McDonald, not how hard a killer’s life was.

The McDonald family has set up a scholarship fund in Ryan’s name.