Murray Callan spent his life helping youths. In the end, it was a boy of 15 who took his life. The young killer's name cannot be revealed by police under Virgin Islands law. And if the killer is convicted, he must be released from the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center on his 19th birthday.

He will have no criminal record. His juvenile file will be sealed. Unlike adult felons, he will not lose the right to vote or even run for office.

"He will be getting a clean slate," says Glenn Callan, the slain man's son. "It's a very sad joke."

The boy shot Callan, 69, late one April night this year as Callan and two other tourists walked along Long Bay Road near Paul M. Pearson Gardens. Callan was going to Blockbuster Video to return a tape.

Callan's killer had a 17-year-old accomplice, who will be tried as an adult. But it was the jittery 15-year-old who held the gun and pulled the trigger.

Callan, a former high school teacher from San Diego, had for 20 years operated a swimming school dedicated to teaching infants and young children. His students called him "Uncle Murray."