A judge in Pontiac, Michigan, has rejected a request from a school shooter to withdraw his guilty plea to multiple charges, including terrorism and first-degree murder. The shooter, who was 16 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021.
The shooter's appellate lawyers had argued that his mental health and other factors influenced his decision to plead guilty. However, the judge ruled that the guilty plea was given knowingly, voluntarily, and accurately.
Furthermore, the judge upheld the life prison sentence imposed on the shooter, stating that it was the appropriate decision under the law.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald expressed support for the judge's rulings, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the victims and their families, as well as preventing future shootings.
The shooter, now 18, had brought a gun to school at the age of 15, resulting in the deaths of four students and injuries to others. Earlier on the day of the shooting, the shooter's parents were alerted to concerning drawings and phrases on a school assignment but did not remove him from school or check his backpack for a weapon.
The shooter's parents are currently serving 10-year prison terms for involuntary manslaughter. They were found guilty of allowing access to a gun at home and neglecting their son's mental health needs. This case marked the first instance in the United States where parents were convicted in connection with a school shooting carried out by their child.
