Sep 25, 2008 10:05 pm US/Eastern
Michael Hernandez's Father Says They Will Appeal
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) ―
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Michael Hernandez sits next to his attorney as jury selection got underway in Orlando for his trial.
CBS
It was a time of grief for the families on both sides of the case, as the judge convicted 18-year-old Michael Hernandez of murdering his classmate when they were both 14-years-old. His father spoke exclusively to
CBS4's Michele Gillen, and he says he will do anything he can to appeal and get his son psychological treatment.
"It's unfortunate, and we were devastated by the verdict yesterday," said his father Manny Hernandez.
"You were surprised?" asked Michele Gillen.
"Yes," he answered.
Michael's defense attorney was hoping the jury would find him not guilty by reason of insanity, but he was instead convicted of murder and attempted murder. The teen's father was positive the jury would believe his son is mentally ill.
He sat in his Southwest Miami-Dade home, where his wife was too devastated to come out and talk, but he says they will both vow to appeal the verdict and get their son help.
"We were stunned, disappointed, angry," said Hernandez, referring to the verdict.
"Angry with the state, angry with the prosecutors."
He says he doesn't regret that his son turned down the plea deal offered in court.
"If I were offered that deal today, I would turn it down," said Hernandez.
"I would take the guilty plea, because the door is open We will appeal it immediately." Hernandez also says that him and his wife tried taking the boy to a psychologist before the murder happened, but the boy refused.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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