According to WBCO, Jaleel Smith-Riley
admitted to shooting and killing 22-year-old Porshia Brooks and
injuring her boyfriend in 2013 withdrew his guilty plea at his
sentencing hearing. On Nov. 16, 2013 , the couple was sitting in a
parked car on Carthage Avenue in Norwood when Riley-Smith approached
the car and ordered Martin out, according to police. After finding
Martin had nothing of value to rob, Riley-Smith shot him in the head,
then leaned into the vehicle and fatally shot Brooks, Deters said.
Jaleel became an internet sensation
when he sobbed uncontrollably after being sentenced to life without
parole. (The viral video is below) Half way through the hearing he
chose to withdraw his plea, which means the state can now pursue the
death penalty.
What makes this noteworthy is this
man's attitude. At the time of the crime, not only did he have no
issue with taking things that did not belong to him using a weapon,
but felt it was acceptable to kill both parties when they had nothing
of value. This is many things, but the most important thing is that
it is the definition of entitlement. Jaleel believed he had a right
to not only take their belongings, but their lives as well. Again, he
was raised in a home, where at one point he was an innocent child,
until he figured out there were no consequences for his choices and
his family would shield him from any external consequences. The blood
from this murder lies not only on his hands, but the hands of family
members as well.
People like this are the reason why
prisons exist – to protect society from extremely entitled people
who feel they have the right to rob, steal and kill other human
beings. There is no evidence of racism in this case debunking the
prison pipeline myth. He admitted to his horrific crime and had no
issue admitting he killed them when he was disappointed when he
robbed them.
Since this has happened, a judge has
denied his request to withdraw his plea and sentenced him to life
without parole. I have actually been in court for this process with
someone else. In order to even enter a plea, you are required to
answer a series of questions that indicate you understand what you
are doing. Clearly he had answered this questions and his request was
made after this process.
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