Man convicted of murdering two white teens cries out 'black lives matter' during sentencing
One of the men who tortured and murdered two white teenage boys in Detroit two years ago proclaimed, "Black lives matter" before being sentenced to life in prison.
Following the victim impact statements from the families, full of forgiveness and regret, Frederick Young – one of two black men convicted of the killings – addressed the court:
"Everything just aches and it's just a totally senseless crime," said Mike Bobbish, Jourdan's father. "And how you could march someone out in the middle of a field and execute them - we're not a third world country. Sometimes I wish it did happen in a third world country because it would be a lot different outcome of this whole thing."
Virgie Kudla, Jacob's mother then spoke.
"Not only did the defendant take away my son's future," she said. "He took away my future - my future as a mother - my future as a grandmother."
"I have sorrow in my heart, soul and every fiber of my being today and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life here on earth," said Carrie Bobbish, Jourdan's mother.
When Young had his chance to apologize to the families - he did nothing of the sort..
"I'd like to say sorry to the families of Aiyanna Jones, Michael Brown, Eric Garner," Young said. "And I want to apologize to them for not being able to get justice for their loved ones who was murdered in cold blood - and in respect for the peaceful protest, I want to say hands up don't shoot. Black lives matter - that's it your honor."
People in the courtroom reacted in disbelief. But still - the message from the families of Jacob Kudla and Jourdan Bobbish was one of forgiveness.
"In the end - knowing who Jourdan was, I believe he would want me to offer forgiveness," Carrie Bobbish said. "Although I know I may struggle with that endeavor for the rest of my life, it would be what Jourdan would want."
"On behalf of Jourdan and myself, I will pray for forgiveness for both of you."
"No matter what sentence the court imposes today, these defendants will have to answer to God," Kudla said. "God's got this - thank you for letting me speak."
The killers apparently yawned and "swaggered" while being sentenced. The other convicted murderer – Felando Hunter – did not speak. He is already serving two life sentences for two other murders.
The death penalty in Michigan has been constitutionally banned since 1963. But you wish that society had a trap door that would open up and swallow these two animals and save us the cost of housing them for the rest of their miserable lives.