Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday morning in the case of a student accused in the shooting death of a gay classmate at an Oxnard middle school.
Brandon McInerney, 17, faces a first-degree murder charge in the 2008 shooting death of classmate Lawrence King, 15. McInerney was 14 at the time.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled that jurors also can consider a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter charge. McInerney's attorneys have argued that he should face voluntary manslaughter instead of murder.
A voluntary manslaughter would carry a maximum 21-year prison term. McInerney could face more than 50 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.
The case has focused on a motive for the slaying. There has been no dispute that McInerney was the gunman.
The trial included emotional testimony from family members, classmates and teachers.
The defense claimed that McInerney endured a violent childhood and reached a breaking point when King made unwanted sexual advances.
Proesecutors argued that the shooting was premeditated. They said McInerney believed in white supremacist ideology.
