For the first time, a fourteen-year-old kid and his father appeared in court, accused of killing four individuals during a gun attack at a high school in Georgia.
Colt Grey was taken into custody soon after the shooting at his Winder, Georgia, school, Apalachee High, on Wednesday. On Friday, he appeared in person in court, his hands and ankles bound, to answer to four charges of first-degree murder.
The judge stated that the maximum punishment was death before making it clear that he would not be executed.
The most serious accusations against a parent in relation to a school shooting in the US include second-degree murder, manslaughter, and child abuse against Colin Grey, 54.
“14-year-old boy and father appear in court for Georgia school shooting”
The deceased were identified as fourteen-year-olds Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, as well as instructors Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Eight students and another instructor were hurt.
The Greys’ individual court appearances were their first. Reporters said that the front row of the court was occupied by the relatives of the victims. One woman was carrying a plush toy of a Disney character.
The 14-year-old suspect, who was wearing a green T-shirt, didn’t say much except to say that he was aware of the allegations against him. The judge acknowledged that the matter was of greater public importance. For this reason, the proceedings might be live-streamed and recorded by TV cameras.
He called the accused back to reiterate that an under-18 person cannot be executed, despite what he had first informed Colt Grey about the potential punishment for his offences being either life in jail or death.
During his hearing, Colin Grey showed signs of discomfort. When the judge was done speaking, he was spotted swaying back and forth while sporting a striped prison shirt.The judge informed him that he may spend up to 180 years behind bars for his offences.Authorities claim that the father gave his son permission to own an AR-15-style gun, which was used in the attack.It was explained to the accused that they were entitled to a “speedy and public trial by judge or jury”. No pleas were entered, and neither asked for a bail.Both of them will be in detention, and their next court date is December 04.
(BBC)
