[imagesource: Douglas R. Clifford / Times]

21-year-old Cameron Herrin is an “entitled monster” or a “poor” and “innocent” boy with nice eyes, depending on who you ask.

That’s because, in 2018, Herrin was speeding at around 160 kilometres per hour in a street race when he fatally struck a mother and daughter as they were crossing the street.

In April, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide, killing Jessica Reisinger-Raubenolt, 24, and her 20-month-old daughter, Lillia in Florida.

But Herrin has now developed a cult following on TikTok and Twitter, where fans voice their dedication and support, with some even petitioning for a lesser sentence.

Insider has more:

Since his sentencing, fan accounts saying Herrin deserves a second chance have sprung up. Some said he was “too cute” to be incarcerated for so long.

…In a TikTok posted on August 4 with 2,2 million views, Hannah Kosh, who has 594 000 followers, explained that some people believe Herrin’s sentence is too harsh and shared some of their comments under various TikToks.

One said, “Not a killer,” while another said they hoped Herrin would be forgiven because “he looks innocent.”

“Poor boy,” the comment said, adding, “He doesn’t do in purpose.”

Others commented on Herrin’s looks, saying “omg his eyess” and “you’re too cute.”

Hannah’s TikTok, if we must:

@hannahkosh#cameronherrin♬ original sound – Hannah

While Herrin’s own TikTok account has two million followers and no content to view, there are 2,2 billion views on TikToks made about him, mostly showing him crying in court, or the moment he was sentenced.

Additionally, the hashtag #justiceforcameron has been viewed more than 26 million times.

Accounts dedicated to Herrin have also appeared on Twitter and Instagram, and a Change.org petition calling to reduce his sentence has been signed over 28 000 times.

We won’t give up until you get out of prison, Cameron
🌎✊🏻 #cameronherrin pic.twitter.com/Co8hWdIy03

— ساره (@GKI4AGk3KcY6Vro) August 10, 2021

Some of these comments and accounts are bots, but most of them are genuine, to the extent that Herrin’s mother mentioned how “scary” it has all become.

Fans have sent her letters, called in the middle of the night, stalked her family members on social media, and even went so far as to hack Herrin’s fiancée’s accounts.

Meanwhile, Jessica’s widower,  David Raubenolt, has understandably strong feelings on quite the opposite end of the spectrum:

At Herrin’s sentencing in April, David Raubenolt spoke about the impact of his wife’s and daughter’s deaths and asked the judge to give Herrin the maximum sentence of 30 years.

…during his 45-minute testimony, he said, “This was a crash, not an accident. Please be aware of that.”

He added: “I can’t get the thought of the entitled monster who killed them. Something happens to me in this room.”

Addressing Herrin, Raubenolt said, “It is critical for you to understand that you’ve created everlasting pain and depths of sorrow.”

This is Lillia, David, and Jessica Raubenolt:

People deemed physically attractive often get away with lesser sentences, with research studying how this bias works in the legal system.

Criminals convicted of horrific crimes, like Ted Bundy and Charles Manson, racked up a sturdy support system from women who thought they were good-looking.

Herrin may be trending on social media, but some people seriously need to check their biases.

[source:insider]