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Chardon Shooting Suspect To Appear In Court
By: Associated Press
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UPDATE 1:08 P.M. A police officer says an Ohio teen charged with fatally shooting three students in a school cafeteria admitted killing the victims but didn't know why he did it.
The testimony emerged Thursday at a hearing in Chardon for 17-year-old T.J. Lane. A judge is expected to decide whether Lane will be tried as an adult.
Sheriff's Deputy Jon Bilicic testified that Lane was wearing a T-shirt with the word "Killer" when he was arrested about one mile from Chardon High School on Feb. 27.
One of the first officers at the scene, Chardon Patrolman Matt DeLisa, testified that he found the victims near a cafeteria table with lots of blood around.
The shooting killed three students and seriously hurt two more. A psychiatrist has testified that Lane suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies.
A prosecutor in northeast Ohio is ready to argue that a 17-year-old charged in the school shooting deaths of three students should face trial as an adult.
Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce was scheduled to outline the case against T.J. Lane at a hearing Thursday.
The decision rests with Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell.
If tried in adult court, Lane could face life in prison if convicted. Minors are not eligible for the death penalty in Ohio.
A psychiatrist has testified Lane suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies.
Authorities say Lane has admitted to taking a pistol to Chardon High School and firing at students sitting at a cafeteria table at the school, which is east of Cleveland. The motive for the Feb. 27 shooting remains unclear.