Gene, Brandon's father. has been very active in fighting for his son, advocating against felony murder and enacting change in the system. Gene's fight has never slowed and there are updates to this case.

On May 22, 1995 Brandon and 4 other teenagers [Jason Holland, Micah Holland, Tony Milotti, Chris Velardo] went to the backyard clubhouse of Mike McLoren a locally known pot dealer. Mike’s friend , Jimmy Farris who was the son of an LAPD officer, was there.

15-year-old Micah Holland entered first. followed by the others but by then the bigger McLoren had Micah in a headlock. Micah’s older brother, Jason, jumped in and the melee was underway. During the 60 second fight Jason Holland pulled a 2″ Swiss Army-type knife from a holder on his belt and stabbed at McLoren. Mike’s friend Jimmy Farris jumped in and Jason stabbed him too. Fists swung in the dark and in 60 seconds it was over and Jimmy Farris and Mike McLoren left the “Fort” running to the McLoren house.

Brandon was in the fist fight though he didn’t know who was swinging or why. Tony Miliotti was standing in the doorway. Chris Vellardo was sitting in the truck. Nothing stolen. After the fight, Brandon, Jason, Micah, and Tony walked from the “Fort” and joined Vellardo in the truck and drove off. Jason would later tell the incredulous boys, “I think I stabbed them.” All four boys would be charged with felony murder carrying a mandatory life without parole. Some believe that the harshness of the charge was directly related to who the victim was, the son of an LAPD officer. www.brandonhein.com

Credit: Intro Eric Wellman - award winning journalist and previous host of Morning Edition on Cleveland's NPR news station. Voted best radio anchor in Ohio 2010 by the Associated Press.

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Brandon Hein - Felony Murder - An interview with Gene Hein, Brandon's father

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