The attack was savage. Two people set upon Shane McClellan in the early morning hours one day last May as the 16-year-old was walking home from a friend's house.
"They burned him with lit cigarettes, they urinated on him, they beat him, his teeth were chipped, his face was swollen almost beyond recognition when the police arrived several hours later," deputy prosecutor Erin Becker told a judge Friday.
Police say the men beat and tortured McClellan for as long as four hours, at one point saying "how do you like it, white boy?"
One of the two attackers pleaded guilty, and faced sentencing in King County Superior Court on Friday. Somali immigrant Ahmed Mohamed says the attack was fueled by alcohol and that he doesn't remember much about what happened. He told the judge he drank because of peer pressure although he conceded it's not an excuse.
"I'm real sorry to Shane and his father for everything that I put him through," said Mohamed.
Mohamed's mother, using an interpreter, also apologized in court for her son's actions and asked for sympathy for him.
A judge sentenced Mohamed to 69 months in prison, almost six years, for robbery and malicious harassment with a firearm enhancement. She called the crime hateful, humiliating and senseless.
McClellan turned 17-years-old today but his father says he decided to stay away from court. Jim McClellan says the attack continues to trouble his family.
"The length and duration of the beating is something I just can't imagine," Jim told the judge.
A second man, 21-year-old Jonathan Baquiring is set for trial next month.
Source: KIRO Radio
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