A judge sentenced a teenage murderer to 361/2 years in prison Thursday, noting that the youth is part of a generation that has a diminished regard for human life.
Jeremy Richard Boone, 16, of Sumner pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder and will be sent to a prison for juveniles until he turns 18. After that, he will go to an adult institution.
Boone, who was prosecuted as an adult, will serve all but a few months of that sentence. He will be about 52 when he gets out.
Boone is one of three Pierce County teens accused of murder, robbery and burglary in the June 26 attack on Larry Kloes, 49, in his Snohomish home.
Boone turned himself in to police and gave authorities information about two others who were involved in the crime, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Gerald Knight noted.
Those two elements convinced him to sentence Boone to less than the 40-year term recommended by deputy prosecutor Matt Hunter, and a term two years less than the standard range, the judge said.
Given the number of teens accused of serious crimes such as murder, Knight said he sees less of “a fundamental appreciation for the sanctity of life. He doesn’t know why he did it. It was like swatting a fly.”
Knight called the trend “depressing” and said “it leaves me with a very cold feeling.”
The judge said Kloes’ mother was eloquent in her compassion and description of the pain the murder has caused her family and Boone’s.
“I can’t imagine the pain your family must feel, and I am sorry for them,” Leilia Kloes said while she was turned toward Boone. “They didn’t plan this for you. But you are alive, and you are still a son and brother. You can still make choices. I hope you will take advantages of the opportunities you still have to redeem yourself.”
Defense lawyer Steve Garvey told the judge his client talks about getting a college education in prison and what he will do when he gets out, not lifting weights and getting tattoos like so many of his clients.
Garvey argued for a 35-year sentence.
Kloes and Boone family members and friends wiped away tears throughout the hearing. Boone spoke, apologized to both families and sobbed.
Garvey noted that Boone had no criminal record and said his client has no explanation for why he went along with the two others in the Kloes killing.
“I’m at a loss to say why, explain,” Garvey said.
Boone admitted pulling the trigger, but prosecutors allege it was Austin Lee Mays, 16, of Bonney Lake, who schemed for months to get even with Kloes. The adult previously had turned him in to police for stealing. Mays was 15 at the time of the killing.
Mays is charged as an adult with aggravated first-degree murder and would spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. A third teen, Perry Marshall Rothermel, 18, of Puyallup is charged with first-degree murder, burglary and robbery.
Boone last month signed a statement admitting that he and the two others went to Kloes’ home intending to steal guns and other items. In his statement, Boone said he understood from Mays that Kloes wasn’t supposed to be home.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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