Jordan Sheard convicted for murdering a gay teen with Asperger’s syndrome by setting him on fire at boy’s birthday party
A man who killed a teenager by setting him on fire during his 18th birthday party has been convicted of manslaughter, receiving a three-and-a-half-year sentence.
Jordan Sheard, age 20, set Steven Simpson on fire during his 18th birthday party last summer.
The court heard how Mr Simpson was bullied at his celebration and tanning oil was poured over him by other people at the party before he was set aflame.
Other partygoers chanted “light it, light it, see what it does” as the oil was poured over Simpson and a partygoer held up a cigarette lighter.
Sheard flicked the lighter and Steven went up in flames with Sheard and others running away instead of helping him.
A judge heard how he was told to take off his shirt and encouraged to dance around before having obscenities scrawled on his body.
Reportedly paramedics arrived at the home where Mr Simpson lived alone, they found homophobic messages scrawled on his body, including the words “gay boy” written on his forehead in pen and “I love dick” scrawled across his chest, the court heard.
Simpson had Asperger’s syndrome, a speech impairment and epilepsy.
Sheard initially tried to blame Steven for setting himself on fire, but eventually confessed.
A number of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates said they believed Sheard’s prison term to be too lenient, but prosecuting attorney Tim Warburton nonetheless told The Star that the sentence was “within the range of what would be expected had it been considered a hate crime,” and that it would not be appealed.
“This was a cruel case of bullying based on Steven’s sexuality and disability,” Warburton is quoted as saying. “While we accept Jordan did not intend to kill Steven, his actions did lead to his death.”
Meanwhile, Sheard’s attorney said his client had been “deeply and significantly affected by what he has done and the tragic consequences that ensued,” which describing Simpson’s death as a “stupid prank that went wrong in a bad way,” the Daily Mail noted.
A man who killed a teenager by setting him on fire during his 18th birthday party has been jailed.
He should have gotten life without parole for this horrific act of murder. 3 years is what one gets for petty theft or posession not for murder. It makes me wonder what the priorities are in our legal system.
3 and half years??? … should be 30 and a half!!! … even if he hadn’t meant to actually kill him – had he survived imagine the horrific burns! … please don’t let this man free! 🙁
I CANNOT believe this lowlife kid is only being jailed for a hate crime! THIS YOUNG MAN WAS MURDERED BRUTALLY.!!!!!! What the HELL is the matter with this country. It makes me sick that people can get away with murder. And what about the ***holes who helped this creep? What’s happening to them. My heart breaks for Steven and his family. :'(
The headline should be that the murderer got away with murder – 3 years for this atrocity is shameful.
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