Chardon shooting suspect TJ Lane will be tried as an adult

CHARDON, Ohio - A Geauga County judge has determined alleged Chardon High School shooter TJ Lane will be tried as an adult in the deaths of three students.

Judge Timothy Grendell said because probable cause exists that Lane planned to murder people at Chardon High School "in a deliberate and calculated way," it's mandated he be bound over to Geauga County Common Pleas Court.

Grendell also ordered Lane, who faces three aggravated murder charges, among others, be held without bond.

Lane, with his grandparents and the relatives of victims sitting apart in court, swallowed hard and blinked as Grendell made the ruling.

Before Judge Grendell made the decision he heard testimony from a Geauga County Sheriff's deputy and both prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Lane's lawyer said his client admitted no one "angered" him or "picked on" him in school, adding Lane "didn't know why he did it."

Geauga County Sheriff's deputy John Bilicik said Lane was wearing a shirt with the word "KILLER" printed on it the day of the shooting. Bilicik interviewed Lane that tragic day and said he admitted to the horrific crimes.

BILICIK: "Why did you shoot people?"
LANE: "I have no idea. I don't really understand it myself."

BILICIK: "How many did you shoot?"
LANE: "I don't know. I was aiming for heads so they wouldn't suffer."

BILICIK: "Did someone piss you off?"
LANE: "No one pissed me off. I have no problem with people."

During the hearing, we also learned there are 54 cameras in and around Chardon High School. Camera 13 in the cafeteria caught the deadly shooting spree. Media had to leave the courtroom and did not see the footage.

Prosecutors called the video "disturbing" and "graphic," adding it could "prejudice a potential jury at this point" if the media saw and released it.

Lane's defense attorney wanted his client to remain in the juvenile court system, citing his "schizophrenia and unspecified psychosis" diagnosis, adding he would be able to get treated and rehabbed.

On Feb. 27, Lane allegedly opened fire in Chardon High School's cafeteria, killing three students, Demetrius Hewlin, Russell King Jr. and Daniel Parmertor, and injuring two others.

Lane will be held in the juvenile detention center until at least June 8, giving attorneys time to file paperwork.