The family of Lawrence King, the gay
student murdered last February in Oxnard, California, has been
cleared to sue the foster home where he was living for wrongful
death, reports the Ventura County Star.
Ventura County Superior Judge Henry
Walsh ruled Monday that the lawsuit can move forward.
The lawsuit, filed in February by
King's parents and brother, alleges Casa Pacifica and its personnel
are responsible for the eighth-grader's death. They say counselors
at the facility encouraged King to express his sexuality.
Brandon McInerney is charged with the
death of King. McInerney was 14 last year when he shot King twice in
the head during a morning English class. King survived the night,
but died on Valentine's Day after being pronounced brain dead.
Police arrested McInerney a few blocks from school.
Prosecutors have charged McInerney, who
is being tried as an adult, with the first-degree murder of King and
committing a hate crime. McInerney pleaded not guilty to the charges
in August.
King's family says Casa Pacifica
officials were negligent when they encouraged the boy to express his
sexuality and placed him in danger.