Cameron Terrell, an 18-year-old from Palos Verdes Estates, was recently acquitted from a murder trial. The former South Bay high school student had admitted to driving the black Mercedes in which the two other accused rode on their way to an alleged murder.
Prosecutors identified Terrell as the getaway driver in the killing of 21-year-old Justin Holmes on October 1, 2017, in a South Los Angeles.
The defendant's lawyer mentioned the wealthy teenager's upbringing as part of his defence.
“Cameron Terrell did not possess any weapons, he did not shoot anybody, he was not part of any conspiracy, or any plan or plot. … At best the evidence suggests that Cameron was a witness,” the defense attorney said, adding that his client's story should be favored because of his “background, his family, where he resides, his school.”
Prosecutors insisted that Terell knew about the murderous plan since he had parked out of sight to protect his fellow gang members at the time of the incident. They also brought up the video Cameron Terell filmed of his friends kicking over candles at a memorial erected for Justin Holmes, the deceased victim.
The teen didn't express any flagrant remorse when addressing the loss Holmes' life.
“Rest in peace, Justin Holmes, you shouldn’t have gone that day. […] I pray for his family every night. This has been weighing on me every single day of my life. […] I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. God knows what really happened that day, and God knows what was in my head that day.”
Cameron Terrell's $5million bond was posted with $500 000 in cash when he had admitted to being the driver in October. Debra Terrell, an interior designer, and media executive Donald Wayne Terrell are his parents. The getaway vehicle was owned by Terrell's father.
The two other suspects of the murder are awaiting trial.
The acquitted Terrell, who earned the nickname of "White Boy," was known to appear in the background of rap videos. He most likely graced the screens for free.
[via]