McInerney Defense Rests — Without His Testimony

The defense rested Monday morning in the trial of Brandon McInerney, the California teen charged with murdering gay classmate Lawrence King, without calling him to the witness stand, meaning McInerney will not testify in his own defense, the Ventura County Star reports.

The prosecution is calling one more rebuttal witness — a psychologist who is expected to counter an argument made by another psychologist, who testified for the defense. Closing arguments by both sides are likely to be heard in the next few days, with jury deliberations following shortly thereafter, the Star reports.

McInerney (pictured, left), now 17, is charged as an adult with murder and a hate crime in the shooting death of 15-year-old King (right) in 2008 at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, Calif. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.