HOLTON — One of three teen-agers charged in what authorities call a Columbine-style plot against their high school may get a chance later this week to post bond because of a legal move by his attorney.
Jason L. Moss, 17, of Mayetta, a student at Royal Valley High School in nearby Hoyt, appeared Monday in Jackson County District Court for what had been scheduled as a hearing on a state motion to certify him as an adult.
Instead, defense attorney Don Hoffman of Topeka agreed that Moss would be handled under what the law calls "extended juvenile jurisdiction."
He said that would allow Moss to appear in court Thursday to seek a bond to gain release from the Topeka juvenile detention center, where he has been held since his arrest last month.
Hoffman says the change in legal status means his client could be tried as an adult but sentenced as a juvenile if found guilty.
Hoffman, who says his client is innocent, told reporters he agreed to the change so Moss could get a bond hearing before trial, which he could not in the juvenile justice system.
"We're in a box. To get a hearing for a bond, we had to proceed this way," Hoffman said. "It's a step toward getting a bond hearing, where he will have an opportunity to make bond."
Hoffman said he looks forward to his client's trial, adding, "We're not involved in any plea negotiations at this time."
Last month, Moss and two friends James R. Lopez, 16, of Mayetta, and Richard B. Bradley Jr., 18, of Hoyt, were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated arson. The state filed additional charges of solicitation to commit aggravated arson, two counts of criminal use of explosives, aggravated intimidation of a witness and criminal threat.
As part of a plea agreement, a judge on March 15 found Lopez guilty of one charge of criminal use of explosives and criminal threat, and the other charges were dropped.
Lopez faces an April 12 sentencing hearing.
Bradley has his preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Authorities accused all three of being involved in a plot to attack the school in Hoyt where they were students.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.