The DC teenager accused of gunning down a high school football star inside Ballou High School is found not guilty of murder.

A jury's verdict delivers relief for one family and disappointment for another. The DC teenager accused of gunning down another student inside Ballou High School is not guilty of murder. Phyllis Armstrong talked to the defendant's mother who calls her son the victim.

Phyllis Armstrong?s Report Her son will still be in jail when Christmas comes, but Pearlie Boykin sees justice in a jury's verdict of not guilty.

Nineteen year old Thomas Boykin turned himself in the day after he shot and killed fellow Ballou student, James Richardson. But Boykin's testimony apparently convinced the jury to acquit him of first and second degree murder. His mother says Richardson, who was a football star, bullied, harassed and threatened her son.

Angry parents converged on the Southeast school after the February 2nd shooting. Many blamed the school's administration for not doing more to protect students.

Richardson's parents left DC Superior Court without speaking to reporters. But the popular student's discipline problems at the school surfaced after his death.

The prosecution tried to prove that Boykin plotted to kill Richardson, in an ongoing feud between students from Condon Terrace and Barry Farm.

Thomas Boykin's mother calls the killing of James Richardson a tragedy for both families. Pearlie Boykin says she told Richardson's family she is sorry about what happened. DC school administrators have replaced Ballou's principal.

They also made changes in security since the February shooting inside the school.

Thomas Boykin's mother calls the killing of James Richardson a tragedy for both families.

Pearlie Boykin says she told Richardson's family she is sorry about what happened. Boykin was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Click on Video to View Phyllis Armstrong's Report