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17-Year-Old Killer Laughed in Court, Convinced He'd Walk Free-Then His Father Stood Up


The courtroom in Jefferson County, Alabama fell into an uneasy silence as seventeen-year-old Derek Sullivan was led in by bailiffs, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth despite the gravity of what he faced.

He walked with the swagger of someone attending a social gathering rather than facing trial for murder, nodding at supporters in the gallery and even winking at a few who wore t-shirts bearing his name in a misguided show of solidarity.

Derek carried himself like a celebrity rather than someone accused of taking another person's life, and his demeanor immediately set the tone for what would become one of the most controversial trials in Alabama's recent history.

Judge William Carter surveyed the packed courtroom with growing concern, his experienced eyes taking in the sharp division among the spectators. The atmosphere was tense and charged, split between those seeking justice for the victim and those who somehow believed Derek was innocent or that his actions were justified.

District Attorney Rebecca Mitchell sat at the prosecution table, her case file thick with evidence she believed would convict Derek beyond any reasonable doubt. Defense attorney Thomas Greene sat beside his client, already visibly exhausted by months of Derek's arrogant behavior and his complete refusal to take the proceedings seriously or show any appropriate remorse.

"This court is now in session," Judge Carter announced, his voice carrying the weight of authority earned through decades on the bench.

"We are here in the matter of State of Alabama versus Derek James Sullivan, charged with murder in the first degree in the death of Marcus Richardson. Mr. Sullivan, do you understand the charges against you and the potential consequences if you are convicted?"

Derek leaned back in his chair with exaggerated casualness, the smirk never leaving his face. "Yeah, I understand. But this whole thing is a joke. I didn't do anything wrong. Everyone knows I'm walking out of here."

The dismissive, arrogant tone was immediately apparent to everyone present.

Throughout six months of pretrial proceedings, Derek had treated the case as if it were beneath him—laughing during serious testimony, making faces at witnesses who testified against him, showing complete and utter disrespect for the court, for the judicial process, and most disturbingly, for Marcus Richardson's grieving family who sat in the front row of the gallery each day hoping for justice.