Friday, November 09, 2007

Preliminary writ issued in Memorial Middle School shooter case

Whether it remains that way or not, the Missouri Supreme Court today issued an order prohibiting Jasper County Circuit Court Judge David Mouton from proceeding with the trial of Memorial Middle School shooter Thomas Gregory White.

The preliminary writ of prohibition, though it is standard for this kind of request, is the first round that has even come close to going the 14-year-old's way. White was only 13 and a seventh grader at Memorial when he brought an assault rifle into the school on Oct. 9, 2006, and fired a shot into the ceiling, then aimed it at Memorial Principal Steve Gilbreth. Authorities say the gun jammed when White attempted to pull the trigger.

The teenager has been certified to stand trial as an adult on two charges of assault and single counts of unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and attempted escape.

The preliminary writ will be in place until the court issues a final ruling.

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