Killer's Chance for Lifesaving Operation Outrages Victims

Oct. 17, 2007 — -- A convicted killer in Georgia is slated to get a lifesaving bone marrow transplant that will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the families of his victims are outraged.

Lanny Barnes pleaded guilty Monday to one count of murder and four counts of aggravated battery for using his car to mow down a family of five at a Covington, Ga., McDonald's.

Two-year-old Avery Nicole King died of her injuries in the hit. Avery's mother, aunt and two cousins were injured.

"Witnesses said he was laughing at the scene," said Georgia district attorney Ken Wynne.

But Barnes also has leukemia and, under state law, he will receive a bone marrow transplant, which can cost up to $300,000, at taxpayers' expense.

It's a development that has outraged the family members of Barnes' victims.

"It doesn't seem the right thing to do to provide health care for someone as malicious as this man," said Avery's mother, Anita King, today on "Good Morning America."

King added that Avery's medical bills were about $70,000, and they are still paying them off.

Barnes' attorney Chris Adams said that Barnes is entitled to health care under the Bill of Rights.

"We don't believe as a police matter and constitutionally that you can just throw somebody away and let them die of untreated diseases," Adams said.

Avery's aunt Stephanie Casola, who is still recovering from injuries she sustained in the attack, said the law seems misguided.

"It's almost like he's become the victim in all this," Casola said on "GMA." "And you know Avery and the true victims get forgotten, or you know, they have to pay for this guy's rampage."

Barnes' sister will donate bone marrow for the transplant, though no date has been set for the operation. The Georgia Department of Corrections has declined to comment on the case.

Wynne, who prosecuted the case, said that Barnes is entitled to the operation.

"This is frustrating for us who work in the law, but this is what the law requires," Wynne said.