Kenny Bartley — the 15-year old killer in Campbell County’s school shooting — has taken a plea bargain.
[Oak Ridger] Kenneth Bartley Jr. agreed to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the 2005 shootings at Campbell County Comprehensive High School.
He was sentenced to 45 years in adult prison.
So, the last year’s worth of psychological evaluations, jury screenings, and various defense motions were really just a scheme to buy time — one last year of childhood in a life forever ruined by one fatal decision: the decision to shoot three high school administrators, instead of just handing over the gun.
The latter would have meant a year’s expulsion from school, and probably charges handled in juvenile court. It might have turned him around.
There were other bad decisions, of course; the decision to take the gun to school to trade for Oxycontin wasn’t too bright, nor was the desire to get Oxycontin to start with. I’m not sure how many years "45 years" really is, though I suspect it’s somewhat less. Maybe probation in 15, 20?
However, I have to express my admiration for Jo Bruce, the widow of slain vice-principal Ken Bruce. She has continued her job in Willowbrook’s family resource center, working with families having difficulty… perhaps averting such a tragedy for someone else. She has become a quiet but tireless crusader for greater school safety. And, she endorsed the plea deal:
Jo Bruce, the widow of the slain administrator, endorsed the plea bargain.
"We did the right thing. We feel like this will help our community start to heal. I think (my husband) Ken would say, job well done," Bruce said.
In her shoes, I doubt I could summon the incredible grace she has displayed.
Which is why we don’t ask the relatives of the victims to set the sentence.
Good post.
45 years in this case will be about 85% of that sentence as he will be sentenced as a 100% violent offender (15% can be worked off on 100%’ers). There will be no probation. Probation is only eligible up to 10 years. If released before his flat date it will be on parole.
I would hesitate to classify the legal wranglings a scheme. What was happening in reality was a good look at all circumstances, the known was he shot three school admininstrators, the unknown was numerous things, state of mind, actual happenings inside the office, and why? (That is the duty of the State and defense to explore every angle.) Why is only known to Bartlett. My bet is even he doesn’t know why he did it enough to be articulate about it. He may have an inkling as to why but will never be able to identify what the thing in his brain that snapped to cause this tragedy.
Most kids, even 14-15 year olds up to adults in this situation give the one standard answer to why? I don’t know.
According to the News-Sentinel, the charges were pled to 2nd degree murder and attempted murder and he will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
The News gets thing wrong. Consecutive sentences at 25 years on the first, 100%. Second kicks in at least a 30% range, then the final one at aleast 30%. However, as a violent offender it could be more. Eligibility for parole and a grant are two different things. One can be eligible, just not granted.