JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — One of the boys in the Jonesboro schoolyard massacre pleaded guilty and the other was convicted Tuesday, bringing a swift end to the deadliest in a string of school shootings that forced the nation to take a harder look at children and guns.
The boys, ages 12 and 14, got the maximum penalty allowed by law — confinement to a juvenile center, perhaps until they turn 21. It will be up to juvenile authorities to decide how long.
More than 100 of the victims’ relatives and school staff reserved spots for the hearing, which was the equivalent of an adult trial.
The boys were charged with five counts of murder and 10 counts of battery and were pronounced guilty on all counts. Nine other students and a teacher were wounded in the attack at Westside Middle School.
Both boys guilty in Jonesboro school shootings
Published August 12, 1998
