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Trial against MCHS students continued

Two local teens accused of threats against school

Joshua Roberts

— The trial against two Moffat County High School students accused of making threats of school violence was continued Monday morning in 14th Judicial District Court.

One of the students, a 17-year-old, is charged with three counts of interference with staff, faculty, or students of an educational institution, and conspiracy. The other student, a 15-year-old, is charged with one count of interference and one count of conspiracy.

The charges are misdemeanors, and the students have pleaded not guilty.



The bench trial, expected to last a day, was continued until 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14. Judge Michael O’Hara granted the continuance at the request of the students’ defense attorneys, Kris Hammond and Drew Johnroe, both of Steamboat Springs.

Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Snow said the continuance was granted because the defense attorneys hadn’t had access to an audiotape interview with a witness. He said the defense not having access to the interview was an administrative oversight.



In late April, high school officials became aware of threatening comments allegedly made by the two students. The statements triggered an investigation and the students’ suspension.

Craig police said the two juveniles developed a “hit list” that contained two names – one of a high school student, the other of a teacher. Three witnesses reported to police that they had seen the list.

The alleged “hit list” has not been recovered.

Bench trial is a legal phrase used to describe a trial decided upon by a judge rather than a jury.


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