T.J. Lane: Teen Will Be Tried As Adult In Chardon High School Shooting
T.J. Lane, the 17-year-old suspected of killing three and injuring two students at Chardon High School in Ohio in February, will be tried as an adult, according to a ruling by a juvenile court judge on Thursday.
Lane, who has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder and two counts of attempted aggravated murder, was brought before a judge on Thursday, who listened to testimony of witnesses on the day of the shooting, according to The Huffington Post.
Included in the testimonies was Geauga County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Bilicic, who dressed quickly when he was called to duty for the shooting. When he approached Lane about a mile away from the school, he stated that the teen was wearing a t-shirt that said “Killer,” and that he admitted to shooting people at the school cafeteria.
Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell issued the order on Thursday, allowing the teen to stay at the juvenile facility until Jun 8th, according to CNN, stating:
“The court feels there is ample opportunity for (Lane) to get whatever care he needs while he is in either the detention center or the Geauga County Safety Center.”
Grendell also rejected a request by the defense to release T.J. Lane on a $500,000 bond, according to The Lancaster Eagle Gazette. He made this judgement, stating that the 17-year-old could pose as a flight risk, and is also a safety risk to the community.
Along with the Sheriff’s deputy’s testimony, the judge, Lane, and attorneys for both sides viewed the surveillance video of the shooting scene. The media and all other attendees were barred from the room while the video played, after the judge cited that the tape could jeopardize Lane’s chance to a fair trial, according to The Huffington Post.
Lane has already admitted to taking a .22 caliber gun and knife to the school, and opening fire in the Chardon High School cafeteria, although no motive has been released.
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