Ohio teen TJ Lane in court over shooting deaths

TJ Lane, the 17-year-old accused of killing three and injuring two of his classmates at Chardon High School, was back before a judge Tuesday, March 6, 2012. / CBS

(AP) CHARDON, Ohio - A 17-year-old charged in an Ohio school shooting rampage that left three students dead made a court appearance Tuesday, where a judge explained to him that the case could be sent to adult court for trial.

Authorities will decide later whether T.J. Lane will be tried as an adult and face a possible life sentence.

Lane is charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault. He did not enter a plea Tuesday. He appeared before Juvenile Judge Tim Grendell, who told him his case could be moved to adult court for trial.

Teen charged in deadly Ohio shooting

Grendell postponed a hearing on that matter from March 19 until April 3 because two new attorneys have joined the defense team.

Lane watched the judge without emotion, blinking occasionally. He was brought into court under heavy security, a deputy's hand on his arm. He was dressed in an outfit similar to what he wore last week in court — a tan, open-collared dress shirt and dark slacks.

Relatives of the victims faced Lane from the jury box. Some wore red and black memorial ribbons, the colors of Chardon High School.

Lane spoke in response to routine questions from the judge about his understanding of the case and his rights. "Yes sir, I understand," he said repeatedly, and, "Yes, I do, your honor."

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Ohio teen gunman gets life in prison

Prosecutor David Joyce says Lane has admitted taking a .22-caliber pistol and a knife to Chardon High School, near Cleveland, on Feb. 27 and firing 10 shots at a group of students sitting at a cafeteria table. In addition to the three students killed, three were wounded, two seriously.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, though Joyce has appeared to rule out theories involving bullying or drug-dealing. He has said victims were selected at random and that Lane is someone "who's not well."

Joyce expects the case to be moved to adult court, where Lane could face life in prison. Minors are not eligible for the death penalty in Ohio, whether they are convicted as juveniles or adults.

Lane attends an alternative school for students who haven't done well in traditional schools.

The funerals for the three students began Saturday and continued Tuesday, with the final one scheduled for Thursday.

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Ohio high school shooting victims

[wallygeez]

NOT treating this idiot as an adult would be a travesty to justice and an insult to the families of the dead. What a shame us taxpayers will have to pay for this scumbags' incarceration - we need to do what the Chinese do in these type cases: a quick bullet to the head 60 days after trial. Send the spent casing to the family for having brought this jerk to life.

[credibility2]

This murderer planned his attack because he was mad that his girlfriend dumped him. One of the people he shot was dating his former girl friend. Premeditated first-degree murder.

[andie52]

Where are you reading that he was bullied? He often ate alone at lunch, but he didn't shy away from conversations and wasn't an outcast. He was friendly but not loaded with friends. He was smart but didn't flaunt it.
And aside from a little teasing about pink head phones on Feb. 24, he wasn't bullied or put down.
He knew the boys he shot since one of them was dating his ex girlfriend. He deserves to be tried as an adult.

[Diaa22]

I heard the new boyfriend liked to make fun of him and put him down. Maybe that's how he won her over? I suppose it will all come out in court.

[diamruby]

His parents are guilty of neglect & abuse & should be conficted of murder also as they are the root & reason he commited the crimes. Prison will be the only normal life he will experience. Better child protective services, mandatory & free sterilization for all unfit humans is the answer to the child abuse that is increasing daily. How sad that no relatives, friends, or school teachers came to the rescue of these abused children. May his parents suffer the utmost pain & suffering for what they have done to their son & other children, & may the children find peace & a good life without them. We need to forgive & love him even though we do not approve & hate what he did.

[d-dagger]

I agree. What TJ did was horrific, and a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of his victims, but also to TJ. This young man was abused his entire life. He doesn't need prison. He needs help.