Tuesday, July 03, 2007

More letters received for Memorial Middle School shooter

Two more letters have been received encouraging Judge David Mouton to remand the case of Memorial Middle School shooter Thomas Gregory White to juvenile court.

Since The Turner Report noted earlier today that five letters, including letters from the heads of two national organizations, Justice for Juveniles and Bully Police USA, had been received by the court, two more were noted this afternoon on case.net

Letters were received from Rosana S. Ladik, indicating she is Joplin R-8 School District coordinator of Bully Police, Missouri, Anti-Bullying Coalition, and from Robert J. Ladik, Anti-Bullying Coalition.

White, 14, has been charged as an adult with five counts, including two counts of assault and single counts of unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and attempted escape in connection with the Oct. 9 incident in which he entered Memorial Middle School with an assault rifle, fired the weapon into the ceiling, and then allegedly tried repeatedly to shoot a school administrator but failed when the weapon jammed. White was 13 at the time and a seventh grader at Memorial.

Case.net indicates that a pre-trial hearing for White is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at the Jasper County Courts Building in Joplin. If he remains certified as an adult, his trial is tentatively scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 6.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

JUSTICE FOR THOMAS WHITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2007

Several parents who reside in and around Joplin are holding a support rally for Thomas White, the 14-year-old boy being held in solitary confinement in the Jasper County jail, having been accused of entering Memorial Middle School on October 9, 2006, and threatening administrators with a gun, and who has subsequently been certified to stand trial as an adult.

WHO: Concerned Parents, Children and Citizens of Joplin and the Surrounding Area/Child Advocates/Friends and Family of Thomas White

WHAT: A support rally demonstrating our desire for Thomas White to be remanded back to the juvenile justice system and to perpetuate a widespread awareness and intolerance of school bullying.

WHERE: Outside the Jasper County Courthouse in Joplin
(presumably on the north and west sides)
601 Pearl Avenue, Joplin, Mo. 64801

WHEN: 8 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. Friday, July 6

WHY:
• Because many people have failed to stand up for Thomas White in the past, and we will stand up for him now.
• Because a child is NEVER an adult and should NEVER be persecuted like one in the American justice system.
• Because school bullying is NOT an excuse for school violence. It is an EXPLANATION, and we will only be able to stop asking WHY this happened – and to prevent it from ever happening again – when we begin to listen to the answer.

On camera interviews with organizers, some parents and children present, and with Norma White – Thomas White’s mother – will be granted by request at the rally. We ask that you please respect the wishes of those who express they DO NOT want to comment on camera, and we thank you in advance for your professional courtesy and timely arrival, as many attending the rally also plan to attend the hearing that begins at 9 a.m.