Wednesday, 20 March 2013 11:34

AUDIO Advice To TJ: Lose The Smirk

Written by  Chris Keppler
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Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane is about to start a new life as he heads to prison until his life ends.  Legal experts say that life will be difficult if Lane acts the way he did during his sentencing hearing Tuesday.  You may be aware that Lane walked into the courtroom in Geauga County and took off his outer shirt to expose a t-shirt with the word "KILLER" written across the front, something the judge says he did not see.  Lane used obscene language and gestures.  He also had a smirk on his face nearly the entire.  J. Dean Carro with The University of Akron School of Law says it's Lane's attitude that will spell trouble for him in prison more than the crimes he committed.

"Those people are not going to necessarily be receptive to hand gestures, to smirking, to smiling and there is a way that people react to that in prison that is not going to be very favorable to T.J. Lane," said Carro.

Can you read between the lines?

Carro says the hierarchy of the people who are generally hated the most by fellow prisoners is usually led by child molesters, then rapists.  He says Lane may be the exception, not because he murdered people, but because of his attitude.

You have some pretty tough people in prison who will not tolerate what they may perceive as a punk kid making inappropriate gestures or smirking or smiling," said Carro.  "That won't be received very well."

 Carro says the courtroom behavior gives a little insight about what Lane's attorneys may have been dealing with.

Chris Keppler

Chris Keppler

Chris is the regular news anchor on WQMX's Wynn and Wilson in the Morning and WONE's Tim and Christi in the Morning programs. He first opened a microphone at WZIP-FM at The University of Akron in 1990 but got his first paid radio job delivering weekend news on WZKL-FM & WDPN-AM in Alliance. Chris then moved to WJER AM & FM in Dover where he reported on Tuscarawas County, including stories that made national headlines. Chris has been honored by his peers with first place awards from the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters including Best Reporter, Best Feature Story, and Best Broadcast Writing among others. In addition to his work as a broadcast journalist Chris has also worked in public relations and as an instructor at the University of Akron teaching Broadcast News Writing. Chris enjoys volunteer work, and has served on the boards of the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters, Public Relations Society of America (Akron Area Chapter), American Cancer Society Hope Gala Committee and currently serves on the Green Baseball/Softball Federation Board. Contact Chris through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email at ckeppler@rcrg.net

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