"This is not a kid we need to throw away," Geragos said. "He's a voice
the community can use."
Badalyan had gained the support of Sona Demirchyan and others,
including officials at the juvenile detention center where he was held
for a year, who sent letters to Person asking that he be lenient.
"The victim's mother has said, 'Don't take him away from his family,'
" Geragos said.
Badalyan, dressed in a light brown suit, sat quietly during the
sentencing, responding with only "yes, sir" when addressed by the judge.
"[If] you come back before this court," Person warned, "I will have no
hesitation about sending you to state prison."
As part of his probation, Badalyan waived the right to use the 471
days he served toward a prison sentence, should he violate the terms of
the agreement. He was also ordered to pay $1,000 to a victim restitution
fund.
Once the proceeding ended, Badalyan and the handful of people --
including his parents -- who turned out to support him, exchanged hugs,
smiles and kisses.
Badalyan and his relatives declined requests for comment.
Demirchyan's parents were not present.
Geragos said he has been working with officials at the Armenian
National Committee in Glendale to arrange community service for Badalyan.
Vicken Papazian, executive director of the committee's western region,
said the group is open to the idea.
"Hopefully, if this young man is visible and doing good work, other
kids maybe headed in the wrong direction would be able to look at this
and say, 'Hey, maybe there's a better alternative.' "
