A teenager has pleaded guilty to all 55 counts in a deadly shooting nearly two years ago at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, was charged as an adult with the 55 total counts, including murder in the four deaths and 25 counts of aggravated assault. (AP) — A teenager has pleaded guilty to all 55 counts in a deadly shooting nearly two years ago at Apalachee High School in Georgia.Colt Gray, 16, entered the plea Friday without having reached a deal with prosecutors.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to charges in the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting that killed two students and two teachers, and left several others wounded, at the high school about 45 miles (73 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta.Before accepting the plea, Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm asked Gray a series of questions meant to ensure that the teenager was aware of the consequences of his plea and was entering it voluntarily. To each question, Gray responded, “Yes, your honor.”Because he pleaded guilty to murder, Gray faces a minimum sentence of life in prison.
The judge must decide whether he should be eligible for parole.Once the plea was entered, victim family members began testifying about their loved ones and the losses they experienced as a result of the shooting. The judge plans to hear each side’s summary of the case, evidence and sentencing recommendation before deciding the sentence.Gray’s trial had been scheduled to start in mid-October in Columbia County, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where the shooting happened, after the judge agreed to a defense request for a change of venue.A jury in March convicted his father, Colin Gray, on charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and he is scheduled to be sentenced next week. Prosecutors said the elder Gray gave his son the assault-style rifle used to open fire at the school.Teachers Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, died in the shooting.
Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire.Gray sat at a table in the courtroom with his feet chained together and sat at a table with his attorney. Members of the community, including some relatives of victims, were on hand in the courtroom.Prosecutors have indicated in court filings that during sentencing they intend to call teenage victims and witnesses to testify and to show surveillance video and crime scene photos during Friday’s hearing. They have also noted that they may introduce a slew of records, including 911 calls and Colt Gray’s school, medical and social me…
(AP) — A teenager accused of killing four people nearly two years ago at Apalachee High School in Georgia was in court Friday for a plea and sentencing hearing. Colt Gray, 16, previously pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the Sept. Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm has set a “Non-Negotiated Plea and Sentencing Hearing” to begin Friday.
Gray’s trial had been scheduled to start in mid-October in Columbia County, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where the shooting happened, after the judge agreed to a defense request for a change of venue. Gray was led into the courtroom with his feet chained together and sat at a table with his attorney. A jury in March convicted Gray’s father, Colin Gray, on charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and he is scheduled to be sentenced next week.
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