Bible Baptist

Trials involving accused teens draw gag order:

Mecklenburg District Judge Hugh Lewis has issued a gag order prohibiting anyone in the court system from talking about the case of two teenagers from a private Christian school who were accused last year of threatening to shoot fellow students and staff members.

One of the two 15-year-old boys charged with conspiracy to commit murder was tried in juvenile court this week. The trial's outcome is being kept secret by Lewis -- at least for now. So is the trial date for the other teenager.

"All proceedings in this matter are closed. No one, including all clerks and other court personnel, will discuss this case with anyone," Lewis wrote in his order. "No further information of any kind about this case will be released from any source within the court system. This includes attorneys, participants and any one having knowledge gained within the court hearings of this case, or being involved in any way with this case."

So it appears that the trial of the first teen has already been completed however the article states that we will eventually hear the outcome of both cases...

Despite the gag order, Lewis told the Observer he would inform the public about the outcomes of the trials of the two teenagers. That could take six months or longer, he said.

"I believe there are some things the public has a right and need to know," the judge said. "I feel an obligation to let the public know whether these juveniles are found responsible or not responsible for these offenses."

Also I can kind of agree with why the judge issued the gag order...

"We're trying to rehabilitate these children," Lewis said. "I'm able to dig deeper if the case isn't under a magnifying glass. I can be more open with the children who commit the behavior that cause the wrong."

I don't necessarily agree with the rehabilitation aspect but anything that will lead to a more thorough trial is fine by me.

I guess I'll let you know in six months how this turns out.

Trial begins for student who threatened school shooting:
The trial started today for one of the teens accused of planing a plot against Bible Baptist Christian School in Matthews, NC, a suburb of Charlotte. Like I mentioned back in December the proceedings are closed to the public due to the fact that the 15-year-old is being tried as a juvenile. The trial is not a jury trial. The defense attorney had this to say...

The teen's attorney said that decision protects his client no matter the outcome, especially the decision to keep the trial in juvenile court, because regardless of are any charges in this case the teen's record will be sealed.

Again I think that the fact that this is being tried in the juvenile court is sending out the wrong message. It shows that conspiracy to commit murder charges are not that serious of a crime in the eyes of the law.

Personal responsibility dies a little bit more.

Suspects in school murder plot appear in court:
The two kids charged with planning an assault on Bible Baptist Christian School in the Charlotte, NC area appeared in court on Tuesday. A couple of important things happened at this hearing. At least one of the suspects has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder. The judge has barred all media from any and all proceedings. And most importantly the case will stay in juvenile court.

Barring the media? Fine. I have no problem with that. However I do have a problem with the case staying in juvenile court. Juvenile court, to me, is for things like vandalism or shoplifting. But when the charges are conspiracy to commit murder than in my opinion the case should be bumped up to an adult trial. And here's why...

"Any conviction there may be in the future will be sealed and that will allow him to go about his life when he becomes an adult like go to college and have a good job,” attorney Christian Hoel said.

So basically this sends a message that you can plot to murder teachers and students at your school but if you're caught before you can carry it out you'll be fine by the time you're legal. That's a horrible message for the courts to send.

As always it was your pleasure.

Teen accused in school attack to remain in custody:
Another article from yesterday on the Bible Baptist Christian School plot that was broken up here in the Charlotte area. The article basically states that one of the teens arrested in conjunction with the plot will be spending Thanksgiving in juvenile detention. Like I'm supposed to feel sorry? Here's what happened when the teen appeared in court yesterday...

The teen’s defense attorney said the boy is at no risk to himself or others and is on medication. The judge reviewed a report from a psychiatrist and said there were some troubling things in it. The judge, who said he was concerned for the safety of the juvenile and the public, said the boy will remain in custody. The judge would like to see a case plan from a mental health expert before releasing the teen.

Police said the pair were actively trying to procure a gun. What does the defense say about it? Read on...

The defense attorney argued Thursday the plan was just talk and there was no intention of actually carrying it out.

Ah yes, the old "we were just joking" defense. In all the cases I've written about I don't think that defense has ever worked.

A motive has still not been released.

6NEWS uncovers new information in alleged school murder plot:

Christian School Teens Arrested, Accused Of Shooting Plot:

Students Given Second Chance to Return to School:
This is all the new information we have on the Bible Baptist Christian School plot. It turns out that the two 15-year-old students accused of plotting an attack on their school were expelled from the school once before...

Church officials told 6NEWS that the students were expelled at the beginning of the last school year. Sources said the teens were on a field trip to Bob Jones University in Greenville South Carolina where they allegedly stole an item from the bookstore.

The students sat out all of last year and were home schooled but were allowed to return this school year...

School administrators said the same two students were expelled at the start of last school year for an unrelated matter. Officials said the two students remained out all year long, but was readmitted to the school after an extensive interview and counseling session.

Also we now know why police waited so long to inform the public...

Police said they hesitated to tell the public about the shooting plot because there was no reason to believe the public was in any danger and they felt that releasing certain portions of their information would have hampered their investigation.

I can live with that. Police also said that the pair made a hit list containing the names of teachers and students.

It is unknown if the teens will be tried as adults at this time. If they remain as juveniles they could be sent to training school until the age of 19.

Students arrested for plotting school attack, police say: (Log in info)
Just a little more information on the Bible Baptist Christian School here in the Charlotte area...

School leaders said a gun was not on campus. Police said the students didn't have one, but were making a serious attempt to buy one.

Police said the students did get into some minor trouble at the school last year.

However this article (log in info) breaks some stereotypes of would be school shooters...

Allen said the boys had been doing well academically, were involved in the school athletics program and had appeared to be having a good year.

Still no motive mentioned as of yet.

Still Developing: Students arrested for plotting school attack, police say: (log in info)
If you think it can't happen in your town think again. This is happening in my town. Two 15-year-old students of Bible Baptist Christian School in the Charlotte, NC suburb of Matthews were arrested on Oct 25th for plotting a Columbine style massacre at their school. I don't understand why we're only hearing about it now. The unnamed students are still in custody and have been charged with conspiracy. A hearing has been set for November 17th. Police are saying that this was not an idle threat. No motive has been given as of yet. More on this when additional details become available.