EP 09: The Tragic Murder of Larry King Artwork

Homocidal Tendency: A True Crime Podcast

Welcome to Homocidal Tendency, a podcast dedicated to the grit, the gore, and the forgotten ghosts of queer history.

We bridge the gap between the visceral horror of serial murder and the cold reality of life on the streets.

Whether it's a high-profile manhunt for a community predator or a quiet, back-alley tragedy that never made the nightly news, we’re digging up the truth that’s been buried under decades of apathy.

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Homocidal Tendency: A True Crime Podcast

EP 09: The Tragic Murder of Larry King

February 08, 2026 • Homocidal Tendency • Season 1 • Episode 9

0:00 | 56:06

"Say goodbye to your friend Larry, because you won’t see him after tomorrow."

It was February 12, 2008, inside a computer lab at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, California. The only sounds were the clack-clack-clack of keyboards and the low hum of teenage chatter.

In the front row sat 15-year-old Larry King, wearing his signature knee-high brown suede boots and makeup. He was bold, gender-nonconforming, and—in the eyes of many—a "problem" to be solved.

Directly behind him sat 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, a popular athlete hiding a dark secret of domestic abuse and neo-Nazi indoctrination.

For weeks, their interactions had been a collision of two worlds: Larry weaponizing flirtation to survive bullying, and Brandon viewing that flirtation as a threat to his manhood. When Larry asked Brandon to be his Valentine in front of the lunch crowd, the fuse was lit.

In this deep dive, we peel back the layers of a tragedy that changed California law forever. We explore:

The Victim: Larry’s complex journey through the foster system and his brave exploration of gender identity (Leticia).
The Killer: Brandon’s "Jekyll and Hyde" life—the polite student by day, the white supremacist trainee by night.
The System: How a school paralyzed by "neutrality" and a legal system swayed by "Gay Panic" failed a child who just wanted to wear high heels.

Triggers: Gun violence involving minors, hate crimes, domestic abuse, homophobia/transphobia, and victim-blaming legal strategies.

Featured in this Episode:

The "Boots" & The Dress Code: How Larry used fashion as armor.
The Warning Signs: The "leakage" of intent that students heard but never reported.
The Trial: How a defense team turned a victim into a villain and secured a controversial plea deal.
The Aftermath: "Larry's Law," the 21-year sentence, and where they are now.

Resources & Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying or needs support regarding gender identity, please reach out. You are not alone.

The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. thetrevorproject.org
GLSEN: Working to create safe and inclusive schools for all. glsen.org
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (USA).

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