Accused NCHS Shooter to be Kept in Juvenile Court
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: November 27, 2012
MCLEAN COUNTY- The Twin Cities teen accused of a shooting at Normal Community High School will be kept in juvenile court.
Tuesday, the judge dismissed the state's motion try the 14 year old as an adult citing he has an obvious mental illness.
The court says he's responding well to treatment in the juvenile detention center.
Those services aren't as accessible in adult prison.
The judge also says the minor looks and acts very youthful, which is why he should stay put.
Courtroom Statements:
Doctors say the voices in the teen's head likely caused a horrific scene at Normal Community High School in September.
Weeks later, police testimony reveals the accused shooter admitted to his hallucinations after allegedly firing a gun inside a classroom.
"Whether it was potential fear of consequences or things of that nature, I don't know," said defense attorney Art Feldman.
According to police, the accused shooter admitted he had an abusive home life, and not many friends.
Doctors say before the incident he never told anyone about his inner thoughts.
"It was a very traumatic day for everybody," said Feldman. "The matter is far from over at this point in time and there's still a lot of healing left to do."
The minor told detectives on that Friday, his voices grew too big to bear, telling him to bring weapons to school and present them in class.
That's when police say he fired shots into the ceiling, putting everyone at risk.
"It was a very serious offense," said Feldman. "I think the state's attorney did a good job in presenting his side of the matter."
Prior to the incident the teen never had a run in with law enforcement or with his teachers.
He's described as a gentle well behaved person who tried hard to please others.
"He might be easily distracted," said Feldman. "But he still is only 14."
In the juvenile detention center he's being treated for mental illness.
His therapist says he's responding well to the health care and is making strides with psychiatric services that aren't as available in adult prison.
"He reports he hasn't been having as many or as severe indications of the voices."
With the decision made to keep him in juvenile court, the minor turned to the defense and asked one question...
"Can I go home now?"
"He asks about that every time we come to court," said Feldman. "Today wasn't really a day to address that."
The teen's bench trial is set for December 17th.
Tuesday, the judge dismissed the state's motion try the 14 year old as an adult citing he has an obvious mental illness.
The court says he's responding well to treatment in the juvenile detention center.
Those services aren't as accessible in adult prison.
The judge also says the minor looks and acts very youthful, which is why he should stay put.
Courtroom Statements:
Doctors say the voices in the teen's head likely caused a horrific scene at Normal Community High School in September.
Weeks later, police testimony reveals the accused shooter admitted to his hallucinations after allegedly firing a gun inside a classroom.
"Whether it was potential fear of consequences or things of that nature, I don't know," said defense attorney Art Feldman.
According to police, the accused shooter admitted he had an abusive home life, and not many friends.
Doctors say before the incident he never told anyone about his inner thoughts.
"It was a very traumatic day for everybody," said Feldman. "The matter is far from over at this point in time and there's still a lot of healing left to do."
The minor told detectives on that Friday, his voices grew too big to bear, telling him to bring weapons to school and present them in class.
That's when police say he fired shots into the ceiling, putting everyone at risk.
"It was a very serious offense," said Feldman. "I think the state's attorney did a good job in presenting his side of the matter."
Prior to the incident the teen never had a run in with law enforcement or with his teachers.
He's described as a gentle well behaved person who tried hard to please others.
"He might be easily distracted," said Feldman. "But he still is only 14."
In the juvenile detention center he's being treated for mental illness.
His therapist says he's responding well to the health care and is making strides with psychiatric services that aren't as available in adult prison.
"He reports he hasn't been having as many or as severe indications of the voices."
With the decision made to keep him in juvenile court, the minor turned to the defense and asked one question...
"Can I go home now?"
"He asks about that every time we come to court," said Feldman. "Today wasn't really a day to address that."
The teen's bench trial is set for December 17th.
