Judge Orders Terrorism Trial In School Threat Case
MUSKEGON (WWJ/AP) - A man faces trial on a charge of terrorism on accusations he threatened to shoot up Muskegon High School.
The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office said 21-year-old Ryan J. Day went to the school on March 8 and caused a disturbance.
Officials say Day refused to leave and said he'd return and shoot a student he believed had been bothering his sister. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brett Gardner said Day also told an assistant principal that he would shoot up the school.
Day, who was not armed at the time, was questioned by police and released. Nobody was hurt and the school was put on a temporary lockdown.
During an investigation, police obtained a search warrant for Day and arrested him on March 23. Officers say they located a rifle and a handgun at a home in Muskegon Heights that Day listed as a residence in court records.
On Monday, District Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes ruled there's enough evidence for the Muskegon Heights man to stand trial.
Public defender Joseph Fisher says the legal definition of terrorism doesn't fit the threats that Day's accused of making.
Day is being held in the Muskegon County jail on $250,000 bond and has been ordered by a judge to undergo a mental evaluation.
He is charged with one count of threatening terrorism. If convicted, Day could spend up to 20 years in prison. He's due back in court April 16.
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