Chardon shooting suspect TJ Lane appears for initial hearing in Geauga County Juvenile Court

CHARDON, Ohio - The alleged Chardon High School gunman, TJ Lane, was back in juvenile court on Tuesday.

Attorneys referred to Lane as TML III, a reference to his full name: Thomas M. Lane III.

Geauga County Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell informed Lane of his rights and explained the purpose of his initial hearing, asking if he understood.

Dressed in an olive button down shirt, Lane said, "Yes, your honor."

The 17-year-old has been charged with three juvenile aggravated murder charges.

Grendell also explained to TML III that the prosecution has filed a motion that he be tried as an adult. That probable cause hearing has been set for April 3 at 1:30 p.m. Originally, a hearing was set for March 19, but the judge cancelled it due to Lane's new co-counsel team in place.

Because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lane is not eligible to face the death penalty even if he's tried as an adult and convicted. The maximum sentence he could face is life in prison without parole.

Inside the courtroom sat some of the victims' families. The family of victim Daniel Parmertor sat directly across from Lane. Lane never looked at them. He kept his eyes on the judge or down at the table.

The court took a recess around 4 p.m. so the judge could meet in chambers with attorneys to hash out if media will get access to Lane's juvenile records. Grendell said the victims' families will have "an opportunity to be heard" on the releasing records debate.

Attorneys argued releasing ODJFS records "is not relevant to the proceedings. It would open Pandora's Box and possibly create undue harm to the proceedings."

Media lawyers said looking at such records may help piece the tragic puzzle together, mentioning Lane said he had no problem with such records being released.

So far, the judge has placed only one restriction on the media: we may not photograph or take video of Lane "in restraints."

Lane was escorted from the courtroom by sheriff's deputies. He will continue to be held in the Portage/Geauga County Juvenile Detention Center.

On Feb. 27, Lane allegedly opened fire on students in the cafeteria at Chardon High School. Daniel Parmertor, Russell King Jr. and Demetrius Hewlin all died. Nick Walczak is undergoing intensive rehabilitation at Metro.

The community is still grieving, trying to understand how such a tragedy could happen in their small town.