Jesse Osborne, a school shooter who was sentenced to life without parole for killing a first-grade student in South Carolina when he was 14, is seeking a reduction in his sentence. Osborne’s lawyer, Frank Eppes, argued in court that the judge had not fully considered a psychologist’s report that suggested Osborne had acted out due to abuse and could be rehabilitated.

During the televised court hearing, Osborne himself apologized to the family of the 6-year-old victim, Jacob Hall, as well as everyone at the school that day. He expressed a desire to better himself while serving his sentence in the Department of Corrections.

However, several individuals who were present during the shooting opposed Osborne’s request for a reduced sentence. Principal Denise Fredericks, who had witnessed Osborne pacing outside the school with a backpack of ammunition before his arrest, stated that while she wished him a productive life, it should be within the confines of a prison. Fredericks believed that Osborne’s current sentence was still more merciful than the sentence he had imposed on Jacob Hall and the school community.

Prosecutors revealed that Jacob Hall’s family did not wish to speak in court but were adamant that Osborne should never be released from prison. Osborne had pleaded guilty to the charges and is currently serving two life sentences.

Osborne’s lawyer presented a video call in which he appeared upset and ready to give up after the initial shots, suggesting that he did not intend to continue the shooting spree. The defense also cited psychiatric experts who claimed that Osborne had shown signs of guilt and grief and had responded positively to treatment during his nearly seven years of incarceration.

In light of these arguments, Osborne’s lawyer proposed a 30-year minimum sentence for the murder charges, followed by additional time for the other offenses. They suggested lifetime monitoring by GPS after his release, with a review after 10 years.

Judge Lawton McIntosh requested a detailed report from the defense expert and allowed prosecutors at least 10 days to respond to the request.

The shooting had a lasting impact on the school community, with some students never returning to the school and others struggling with anxiety during recess. Meghan Hollingsworth, a teacher whose class was celebrating a birthday on the day of the shooting, expressed the ongoing fear and trauma experienced by the students and staff. She urged the judge to uphold the original life sentence, referring to a sign in her classroom that reminds students that they are not free from the consequences of their choices.

The court proceedings revolve around whether Osborne’s sentence should be reconsidered based on the potential for rehabilitation, the circumstances of the crime, and the impact on the victims and the community. The judge is expected to review the defense expert’s report and the prosecution’s response before making a decision.