Ohio shooting suspect TJ Lane expected to be tried as an adult

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Ohio teen shooter chose victims at random: prosecutor

T.J. Lane, a suspect in Monday's shooting of five students at Chardon High School is taken into juvenile court by Geauga County deputies in Chardon, Ohio Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012.

(Credit: AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

(CBS/AP) CHARDON, Ohio - Prosecutors have until Thursday to bring charges against TJ Lane, the suspect in the Chardon High School shooting rampage. They are also expected to ask that he be tried as an adult.

Pictures: 3 killed, 2 injured in Ohio high school shooting
Pictures: Ohio high school shooting victims

CNN reports Ohio attorney general Mike DeWine said, "I have not talked to the prosecuting attorney, David Joyce, yet, but what we would assume is this case...[Lane] would be tried in all likelihood as an adult."

At a news conference shortly after Lane's initial hearing Tuesday, David Joyce said the fatal shootings Monday were not about bullying or drugs. The prosecutor says defendant TJ Lane is "someone who's not well." However, Joyce did not provide a motive for the attack.

Prosecutors told ABC News that the 17-year-old now stands accused of murdering the three students that he "chose randomly."

"[Lane] confessed to taking the pistol and admitted he went into the cafeteria and shot 10 rounds," Joyce said. "[He said he] did not know the students but chose them randomly."

In court, Lane appeared shy, saying only "yes, sir" in answer to a judge's questions as his eyes darted back to the floor.

Lane's grandfather and two aunts sat beside him in court. Joyce asked that Lane be kept in detention and his attorney did not object, so the judge ordered Lane to be taken to a detention facility.

"TJ Lane will remain in detention during proceedings due to serious nature of allegations and charges," Judge Timothy Grendell said.

Complete coverage of the Chardon, Ohio school shooting on Crimesider

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3 dead, 2 wounded in Ohio high school shooting

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by rimamarkarian March 14, 2012 4:37 PM EDT: When 17 year old kids turn into criminals, the society must stop and ask why?? We are all to be blamed for our rudeness and lack of love, affection and sympathy. He's only 17 which means he needed attention, love, warmth, understanding and patience. One person giving him any of these could have saved him. But how would he get it when his parents are divorced, and his society treated him as an outcast. There should have come one person to step forward and say I don't want to treat him as an outcast. One person who believes in goodness and who is willing to reflect the true spirit of Jesus Christ on this earth.; Reply to this comment

by NB62 February 29, 2012 10:39 AM EST

matt605

He is only 17 so he will not face the death penalty,but just life in prison for its against the law to execute someone who has commited murder under the 18

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by Annonymous5 February 29, 2012 11:23 AM EST: Perhaps the law needs to be changed. This is not a 5 year old that accidentally shot a parent's gun. This is a cold and calculated murderer. If he is not executed he will get out and be like Manson, Bundy and all of the rest of the heinous murderers. It's time for this country to quit wasting tax payer dollars keeping these types of individuals in the system for years with the chance of them either being released or escaping and killing more innocent victims. He knew what he was doing and deserves the ultimate worst punishment! At 17 1/2 he is NOT a child! The country is wayyyy tooo soft on murders like him.


by ahendryx819 March 1, 2012 11:54 AM EST: Annonymous5: I agree wholeheartedly. I know someone who murdered his wife when she was trying to leave the abuse. He got 15 years. He will be released one day, and another woman will be killed by him. I don't call that justice, and it's what happens every time there's a murder in this country. We've grown weak as a country and decided instead to prosecute NONviolent drug offenders to the fullest, no plea deals, no early releases, overpopulating our prisons, so that people like TJ Lane and the person I spoke about may be allowed back into society. It's a joke.


by OldProfessor February 29, 2012 10:22 AM EST: You are using a very broad definition of politics. Lane is caught on the cusp of the juvenile justice system but the severity of his transgressions against society cannot be dealt with under the juvenile justice system.

There has been no clues as yet as to his motivation. We will have to wait for the justice system to evaluate his case. And he will probably be 18 by the time the evaluation is complete.; Reply to this comment