HAMILTON - Kristi Blevins cried.
She was telling a Butler County judge about her son, who she said was more than the yellow prison jumpsuit he wore.
James “Austin” Hancock is more than the 15-year-old boy who brought a handgun to the Madison Jr./Sr. High School in February, Blevins said. He’s more than the teenager who took the gun out of his lunch box and fired it multiple times, injuring four students.
Blevins was a teenager herself when she gave birth to Austin. She made her own mistakes and lost custody of him when she and his father split up. But Austin never complained.
Austin is a genuine and kind boy – the type who always says please and thank you, Blevins explained.
She exhaled a deep, quivering breath before continuing.
“He is not a cold-blooded criminal,” said Blevins. “He has the potential to get back on the right path.”
Austin has already spent one birthday behind bars at a juvenile detention facility.
On Monday, a Butler County judge ordered him to stay there until he turns 21. If he misbehaves, Judge Ronald Craft ruled, he could be sent to adult prison. Austin previously pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted murder.
While delivering the sentence, Craft said it was sad Austin would spend the rest of his teenage years in a detention center.
“But this case isn’t all about you,” he said, speaking directly to Austin. “This case is also about the people that got hurt.”
One of those people, Cooper Caffrey, forgave Austin in court. He even apologized for not doing anything when Austin told him about some of his problems. Cooper wrestled on the school team with Austin.
He told Austin in court he would write and visit him when he could.
But forgiveness didn't come easily for all.
Cameron Smith was another student shot by Austin in the school’s cafeteria. A victim’s advocate read a statement written by his grandmother.
Cameron was new to the school district. His grandmother won custody of him not long before the shooting.
The custody victory was a joyous moment for her, and one that will always be tainted by what happened on Feb. 29. Her home, once a fresh start for Cameron, turned into a hospital with a constant parade of nurses and other medical personnel.
“Life can be a b****,” she said in the statement.
Cameron has undergone at least three surgeries since he was shot.
The first surgery lasted four hours and doctors were still not able to find the bullet lodged in his back. He couldn’t walk for several weeks and his grandmother wondered if he would ever walk again.
Cameron tried to return to school, but it was too physically daunting. He is still rehabbing with physical therapy twice a week.
Austin addressed the court before he was sentenced. He spoke quickly and quietly.
“I want the victims to know they were not targeted,” he said.
Then he sat down.
Judge Craft told Austin to make something of himself while serving his punishment. Then he let him say goodbye to his family.
Austin walked to the bench behind him and hugged his mother. His father patted him on the back and his step-mother kissed him on the cheek.
Feet shackled, officials led him out of the courtroom.
Editor's note: Due to the severity of the crime James "Austin" Hancock is accused of committing and the rarity of the use of the Serious Youth Offender specifications to his charges, The Cincinnati Enquirer has decided to use a photo of the juvenile in court. The Serious Youth Offender status of the case also has led to the proceedings taking place in open court.
Reporter Kevin Grasha contributed.