LAS VEGAS (AP) – A community in Las Vegas rallied outside the Regional Justice Center to stand against teen violence and show support for the mother of a Rancho High School student who was killed in a group beating. Melissa Ready, the mother of 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis, was joined by several individuals wearing t-shirts with her son’s face and holding signs demanding “Justice for Jonathan” and an end to school violence.
Lewis was attacked by a group in a back alley near Rancho High School and succumbed to his injuries more than three months ago. Four teenagers involved in the incident have pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court and are currently in custody awaiting a determination of which Juvenile Justice Facility in Nevada they will be placed in.
The community, however, is unsatisfied with this outcome and is calling for harsher punishments for the teenagers involved. Melissa Ready expressed her disappointment, stating that the guilty pleas from the teens seem like they are simply accepting a lesson rather than taking full responsibility for their actions. The group believes that the teenagers should face adult consequences for their actions, given the severity of the crime.
In addition to the four teenagers who pleaded guilty, nine others were arrested in connection with the case, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old at the time of the incident. Four of these individuals are currently facing charges in adult court, while others have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.
The case has sparked a debate over whether the accused teenagers should be tried as adults, with some arguing that they should face adult consequences for taking a life in such a brutal manner. Others have raised concerns about the evidence presented to the grand jury, claiming it was insufficient to prove that a crime was committed.
The community continues to show their support for Jonathan Lewis and his family, demanding justice and pushing for the responsible parties to face the appropriate consequences for their actions. The case is ongoing, with the defendants scheduled to appear in court for a hearing next week.