Suspect in brutal murder loses youthful offender status; victim's father wants law changed
A suspect accused in the murder of his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend loses his youthful offender status. The case was first reported by ABC 33/40's Fighting For You. Loren Bunner was 20 years old when he was arrested for the murder of Jolee Callan of Vincent.
She was shot in the back of the head and between the eyes and thrown off a cliff at Mt. Cheaha. Clay County investigators say he confessed to the murder. "I hope he goes to prison for the rest of his life," said Callan's father, Michael. The past year and a half have taken a huge toll on Callan's family. First the brutal murder of his daughter, then a Clay County judge granted his daughter's alleged killer youthful offender status.
"I would ask him, 'Why?" said Callan.
The youthful offender status would have capped Bunner's maximum possible prison sentence at three years. With public pressure mounting and an appeal from the District Attorney to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in Montgomery, the judge reversed his ruling.
Bunner, who's charged with felony murder, is still free on bond.
"He's walking the streets every day," Callan said. "He's proved he's a killer; what's he got to lose?"
"It's been terrible right here before Christmas. Her birthday is December 29th. It's tough; it's tough," Callan said as tears filled his eyes. But he vows to fight on in hopes the legislature will change the law that currently allows youthful offender status up to age 21.
"We got to do everything we can to change the law. It should not be an option in cold-blooded murder," he said.
Bunner is due back in court next month. Efforts to reach his attorney for comment were unsuccessful. Callan hopes the trial is moved out of Clay County and assigned to a new judge.
