TJ Lane Gets Life in Prison, Gives Middle Finger
**WARNING: Some of the details in the following story are graphic, and may be considered disturbing by some readers.**
CHARDON, Ohio — T.J. Lane will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing three students and injuring three others on a shooting rampage at Chardon High School.
The 18-year-old received three consecutive life sentences for each aggravated murder charge, without the possibility of parole. He also received an additional 37 years for attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault and gun specification charges.
Throughout the sentencing, Lane appeared to display a complete lack of remorse. He entered the courtroom wearing a blue, button down shirt.
But then he took it off.
Underneath it, his white T-shirt displayed the handwritten word, “killer” — a chilling reminder of his similar attire on the day of the killings.
Then came his statement.
After engaging in a private conversation with his lawyer, Ian Friedman, Lane turned toward the families of the victims and used explicit language, before extending his middle finger.
“This hand that pulled the trigger, that killed your sons, now masturbates to the memory. F**k all of you.”
The entire courtroom went silent, stunned by the vulgarity.
Lane continued to smirk throughout the entire court proceeding, including during emotional impact statements from the victims’ families.
Disgusted by his gestures, Holly Walczak, mother of Nick Walczak, spoke directly to Lane: “You’re really lucky that there are so many police in this room right now.”
Nick Walczak was severely injured during the rampage, leaving him paralyzed.
“Nick is an amazing person. He is strong. He is a survivor. You’re evil. You don’t know kind. I hate you for the pain you’ve caused Nick,” said Holly.
Demetrius Hewlin, 16, was one of the victims Lane targeted in the school cafeteria that day.
A family spokesperson talked of his generosity through organ donation and his love for his family.
Russell King, Jr., 17, also died at the hands of Lane.
His sister described the horrific moments in the hospital after the shooting; specifically, the moment her brother died. Russell gave life to eight people through organ donation, she said.
Russell’s sister refused to say Lane’s name.
“The shooter no longer has a name. He is a monster. Your honor, the defendant deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.”
Daniel Parmertor’s mother says she is forever changed by her son’s death. He was just 16 when he lost his life.
“We were robbed by (Lane). We will never see Danny get married or have children. How dare (Lane) take Danny away from us. I’m in pain every minute of every day. I cry every day.”
Joy Rickers was also injured in the shooting spree. A sixth student was grazed by a bullet.
When the impact statements concluded, Judge David Fuhry talked of Lane’s “tumultuous” upbringing, having been raised by his grandparents as his parents were unfit to care for him.
Fuhry also noted that Lane did “some good things” by pleading guilty to the crimes, enrolling in school and hoping to attend college.
But despite considering the aforementioned factors in the sentencing, Lane showed no remorse and was not insane, Fuhry said.
“He consciously and methodically carried out his plan to kill. Of course he knew what he was doing, as well,” Fuhry said. “The victims of the rampage in no way provoked or incited what he did.”
Fuhry said Lane never provided a motive.
After the sentencing, Lane’s sister spoke outside the courtroom. “The brother in the courtroom, and that did this, was not the brother that I knew,” she said. “Hate will only generate more hate. I hope we can all work with peace and compassion after this.”
Friedman said he was stunned by his client’s statement in court. “It was a difficult statement to hear, and to see its effect on the families.” He would not, however, say if he knew of Lane’s plans to wear the “killer” shirt.
Lastly, prosecutors said while they weren’t shocked by Lane’s behavior in court, they were appalled by it. “What he did today is consistent with what we thought of him all along. We are disgusted.”
Last month, Lane pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault for the deadly shooting on February 27, 2012.
Lane, who was 17 at the time, admitted to the killings immediately, prosecutors said. He was never eligible for the death penalty because of his age at the time of the shootings.
Read more details from court in our blog, below:
Lane’s sister: Hate will only generate more hate. The brother in the courtroom and that did this, was not the brother that I knew.
Lane’s sister outside of court: I love my brother. I hope we can all work with peace and compassion after this.
Prosecution asks court to reflect that Lane extended his middle finger towards the victims’ families.
Lane says he has no questions about his sentences.
Judge David Fuhry: Prison terms will run consecutive.
Judge David Fuhry: No single sentence is proportionate to what happened.
Lane giggles during Judge David Fuhry’s findings.
Judge David Fuhry: Lane’s own sister was in the cafeteria on day of the shooting.
Judge David Fuhry: Lane’s plan was deceptive. A school is where a student should feel safe.
Judge David Fuhry: Lane’s conduct was relentless in this case.
Count 5 — Six years. Count 6 — Six years.
Lane smiles and nods during sentencing.
Judge David Fuhry: Count 1 — Life in prison without parole. Count 2 — Life in prison without parole. Count 3 — Life in prison without parole. Count 4 — Eight years.
Judge David Fuhry: In this case, court expected remorse. Obviously, that was lacking today/
Judge David Fuhry: Lane did this on his own.
Judge David Fuhry: He consciously and methodically carried out his plan to kill. Of course he knew what he was doing, as well.
Judge David Fuhry: Lane was not insane on February 27, 2012, or at any other time.
Judge David Fuhry: The court finds Lane to be extremely dangerous.
Judge David Fuhry: The victims of the rampage in no way provoked or incited what Lane did.
Lane smiles as Judge David Fuhry’s speaks.
Judge David Fuhry: What was the motive for this merciless killing. We don’t know.
Judge David Fuhry: Lane did some good things. He pleaded guilty to the crimes, enrolled in school, and hoped to attend college.
Judge David Fuhry talks about Lane’s tumultuous upbringing.
Judge David Fuhry to impose sentencing now.
Lane smiled and laughed throughout Mrs. Parmertor’s statement.
Danny Parmertor’s mom to Lane: You’re a weak, pathetic, vile coward.
Danny Parmertor’s mom to Lane: I hope you have a cold, rough, harsh prison life with monsters like yourself.
Danny Parmertor’s mom to Lane: You are not even a human being. You are a monster, and will always be a triple-murderer.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: My family members have all been physically sick because of the stress.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: I live my days being worried every time my kids leave the house. (Lane) did this to me. He has stolen my life.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: I will never be the same because of him.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: We were robbed by him. We will never see Danny get married or have children. How dare (Lane) take Danny away from us. I’m in pain every minute of every day. I cry every day.
Lane continues to laugh and smirk.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: That murderer could never have been a fraction of the man that Danny was to be. He is repulsive. He will be forgotten as he rots in prison.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: He is a triple-murderer, a child killer. Danny was a good boy, destined for greatness. He was just a boy, only 16 years old.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: I want him to suffer the rest of his life.
Danny Parmertor’s mom: From now on, (Lane) will only be a killer. I’ve had to sit by and watch him be treated with respect — something that he does not deserve.
Danny Parmertor’s mom speaking now.
King’s sister: Russell wanted to hang out with the shooter again before he was shot.
King’s sister: Chardon shooter no longer has a name. He is a monster. Your honor, the defendant deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.
King’s sister: Lane took away the lives of three young men who were doing what they were supposed to do: go to school.
King’s sister: Russell saved the lives of eight people through organ donation.
King’s sister describes hearing of brother’s death. Lane smiles and smirks.
King’s sister describes hearing brother’s condition in the hospital.
Lane fully turns towards King’s sister, continues to smile.
Russell King, Jr.’s sister speaking now.
Holly Walczak: Nick is an amazing person.
Holly Walczak: I feel sorry for you. I’ve watched my son suffer daily.
Lane continues to smirk as Holly Walczak calls him evil.
Holly Walczak: I hate you for the pain you’ve caused Nick.
Holly Walczak to Lane: You’re really lucky that there are so many police in this room right now.
Spokesperson: Hewlin’s life was taken, but he gave life to nine people through organ donation.
Lane continues to laugh and smirk as the spokesperson for Demetrius Hewlin speaks.
Spokesperson for Demetrius Hewlin’s mother: He was one of a kind.
Lane laughs as prosecutor calls him an “evil person.”
Lane is smiling as the prosecutor describes the Chardon shooting.
He apparently said horrendous things to the families of the victims.
Lane just gave the middle finger to the courtroom.
Lane to speak any minute …
Lane’s lawyer: T.J. instructed us not to provide any litigation on his behalf. This morning, he advised us that he’d like to provide a statement.
Lane’s “killer” shirt at his sentencing.
Lane appears to smirk as his lawyer speaks to the courtroom. He is rocking back and forth in his chair.
Lane to speak in court.
T.J. Lane removed a button down shirt to reveal his t-shirt which reads “killer.”
Lawyers representing both sides are in judge’s chambers. It was not immediately clear when they would be finished.
The sentencing was set to begin at 9:30 a.m. We’re expecting it to start momentarily.
Ian Friedman on Lane’s statement in court: It was a difficult statement to hear, and to see its effect on the families.