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Trial Begins For Teen Accused Of Killing Gay Classmate

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California teen accused of gunning down a gay classmate in middle school is going on trial on a murder charge.

Opening statements are slated for Tuesday in the trial of Brandon McInerney, who is being tried as an adult on charges that include lying in wait and a hate crime. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

McInerney was 14 when authorities say he shot 15-year-old Larry King at their Ventura County middle school. Court documents say Larry said "I love you" to the other boy in the hallway the day before.

Larry's family has sued school officials for failing to protect the teen.

A police detective has testified that Larry's sexuality was an affront to McInerney's ideology, and was probably the motive for the crime.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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