A Columbia County Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that the Clatskanie teen accused of plotting a mass shooting at Kelso’s Three Rivers Crossing could go home under strict supervision and electronic monitoring ahead of his next court date set for July 31.
Lawyers from the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the teen’s defense attorney — Chris Heywood of Portland’s Hoffman Law LLC — reached an agreement before the deadline of an Oregon state law that prohibits holding a youth offender in detention for more than 56 days. Heywood said his client had been held for about a month.
The Daily News is not naming the teen because he is a minor being tried in Columbia County Circuit Court’s juvenile division.
Under terms read by Columbia County Circuit District Judge Denise E. Keppinger, the accused adolescent will be released to the custody of his parents, who he could only see while incarnated twice a week through plexiglass at the Cowlitz County Youth Services Center in Longview.
The 14-year-old appeared remotely from Longview on Monday, and remained silent during the duration of the proceeding.
His release comes with caveats.
He is prohibited from going to any mall, including Three Rivers Crossing, or his previous school.
While at home, he can’t access the internet or have friends over.
He must follow his parents’ orders, and he can’t leave the state of Oregon.
All medications and knives have to be secured. Any medication that is prescribed by a medical professional must be taken as directed, and he has to be supervised at all times.
Columbia County Deputy District Attorney Sarika Kathuria told Keppinger that the district attorney’s office holds “a lot of reservations and significant concerns,” about the teen’s release into his parent’s custody.
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office put out a statement to the media, explaining that the office worked with law and justice officials to ensure the strict release conditions while maintaining state law.
“We share the serious concerns surrounding the youth’s release. However, the court is bound by statutory limitations on how long a youth can be held in detention before trial,” the statement reads.
Previously the suspect’s tentative trial date was set for July 8.
In the previous hearing, Heywood said he had been unable to obtain the evidence against his client because it was still classified by through the courts.
The teen is accused of planning a mass shooting at Three Rivers Crossing, previously called the Three Rivers Mall. The FBI arrested him on May 22 after he reportedly shared the plans online.
He faces multiple charges, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of unlawful possession, tampering, and disorderly conduct.
