Lane Pleads Guilty to Chardon High Shooting
CHARDON, Ohio — T.J. Lane has pleaded guilty to the shooting that took the lives of three classmates and injured three others last February 27 at Chardon High School.
Lane admitted guilt on the following counts:
Count 1: Aggravated murder of 16-year-old Demetrius Hewlin.
Count 2: Aggravated murder of 17-year-old Russell King, Jr.
Count 3: Aggravated murder of 16-year-old Danny Parmertor.
Count 4: Attempted aggravated murder of Nate Mueller.
Count 5: Attempted aggravated murder of Nick Walczak.
Count 6: Felonious assault of Joy Rickers.
Lane originally entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, but he withdrew that plea during Tuesday’s hearing.
After accepting his plea deal, Judge David Fuhry told Lane he could face the maximum sentence: three life sentences without the possibility of parole.
*Click here to read the entire T.J. Lane plea deal
Lane, 18, appeared expressionless throughout the hearing, answering with “Yes, Your Honor,” after each question was asked.
At a press conference after the hearing, prosecutors said that the families of the victims and survivors were in support of the plea deal.
Lane will be sentenced on March 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday’s hearing comes a day before the one-year marker of the tragedy.
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow below in our LIVE blog:
Prosecutors: Dropping death specifications had no effect because Lane wasn’t eligible for death penalty anyway because of his age at time of shooting.
Prosecutors at press conference: Families in support of plea agreement. We expected same results had we had jury trial.
Lane’s attorney: Lane and Nolan families are victims as well.
Victims’ families remain seated.
Lane leaves courtroom.
Court adjourned.
State asks Lane to withdrawal his original not guilty plea by reason of insanity plea. Lane complies.
Fuhry: Lane convicted on all charges. Sentencing Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.
Lane admits to the crimes. Fuhry accepts guilty plea.
Lane pleads guilty to count 6 — felonious assault of Joy Rickers.
Lane pleads guilty to count 5 — attempted aggravated murder of Nick Walczak.
Lane pleads guilty of count 4 — attempted aggravated murder of Nate Mueller.
Lane pleads guilty to count 3 — aggravated murder of 16-year-old Danny Parmertor.
Lane pleads guilty to count 2 — aggravated murder of 17-year-old Russell King, Jr..
Lane pleads guilty to count 1 — aggravated murder of 16-year-old Demetrius Hewlin.
Prosecutor: If this had gone to trial, state would have proved aggravated murder for all counts of murder, attempted murder and felonious assault, with firearm specifications.
Lane says he is freely pleading guilty to all counts, says his counsel does not agree with his pleas.
Hearing resumes.
Lane’s attorney interrupts Fuhry to consult with Lane.
Lane has appeared expressionless throughout this hearing.
Fuhry asks Lane if he understands that if he receives the maximum sentence, he’s looking at three life sentences — back-to-back. Lane says, “Yes, Your Honor.”
Fuhry goes over maximum sentencing for each charge.
Lane says he doesn’t have questions about his rights.
Lane’s grandpa nods head in agreement each time Lane says, “Yes, Your Honor.”
Fuhry tells Lane he’ll sentence him because of the agreement. Lane says he understands.
No death penalty specifications with the charges.
Lane acknowledges all the counts of attempted murder and felonious assault.
Lane acknowledges all the counts of murder, with firearm specifications.
Lane tells judge he understands the deal, says he has complete confidence in his legal team.
Fuhry asks Lane for his name and other questions.
Fuhry confirms with Lane that he understands charges, says he’ll ask questions.
Lane says he’ll plead guilty to the charges including firearm specifications with the counts of murder and felonious assault. Total: 6 charges. Mass murder specifications will be removed. All parties agree to the plea deal.
Prosecutor: Lane will plead guilty to count 1 of murder of Hewlin; plead guilty to King, Jr.; plead guilty to count 3 — murder of Parmertor; Plead guilty to attempted murder of Nate Mueller; plead guilty to count 5 — attempted murder of Nick Walczak.
Fuhry confirms Lane’s signature on plea agreement.
Prosecutor: Lane’s drug test after shooting came back negative.
Judge David Fuhry announces change of plea.
Lane returns to courtroom.
Lane’s family re-enters courtroom. Walczak returns, also.
Victims’ families re-enter courtroom.
Attorneys talk before the continuation of the T.J. Lane hearing.
Attorneys from both sides in their seats, talking.
Courtroom filling up again.
UPDATE: FOX 8 camera in the courtroom now. Video is working. T.J. Lane has not yet entered his plea, according to a crew member inside. Judge ordered a 15 minute recess before his expected plea.
Hearing appears to be in recess.
Media room lost connection in the courtroom. Pool camera is working on the issue.
Lane has a buzzed haircut; wearing a green, button down shirt.
T.J. Lane takes his seat in the courtroom.
Chardon shooting survivor Nick Walczak also in courtroom.
Bergant, Fetchik enter the courtroom.
Pool camera having audio trouble. We’re told they’re working on the issue.
T.J. Lane’s family enters the courtroom.
Shooting victims’ families just entered the courtroom.
Chardon Principal Andy Fetchik, Superintendent Joseph Bergant II and other city officials just took their seats in the courtroom.
Prosecutors: Important to community to wrap up case before remembrance ceremonies.