ATLANTA — The accused Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray might not ever face a jury. The 15 year-old was in court Tuesday at the Barrow County Courthouse.
“Yes sir.” We only heard a few words from 15 year-old Colt Gray in this Barrow County courtroom Tuesday morning. But we did hear mention of a non-negotiated plea, that could come down the road.
“They decided they’re going to take their chances with the judge,” former Metro Atlanta Prosecutor Chris Timmons told Channel 2’s Candace McCowan. “What happens in a non-negotiated plea is the defendant pleads guilty to the charges and then the judge makes the determination on what the sentence is,” said Timmons.
Colt Gray faces 55 charges, including malice and felony murder.
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The non-negotiated plea would save the families a trial. Instead there would be a hearing before the judge decides on the sentencing for Colt Gray who was 14-years-old when he was accused of opening fire inside Apalachee High School killing two students and two teachers.
The families of the victims in the courtroom, including the father and father-in-law of Coach Richard Aspinwall
“I got grandkids with no dad now. I mean how do you make up for that,” Richard Aspinwall Sr. told Channel 2 Action News.
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Colt Gray’s father, Colin, will go on trial later this year.
In court, attorneys said any deal for Colt Gray won’t happen until after his father’s trial, which will begin Sept. 8.
Outside of the courtroom, Channel 2 Action News heard from loved ones of the victims in the Apalachee High School shooting.
“We have two beautiful granddaughters that will never have the benefit of their father,” Coach Aspinwall’s father-in-law Kevin Zinke added.
After Gray’s appearance the victim’s families met with the prosecutor. There are different opinions on how they want to see this play out.
“I would like to see this end. If he wants to plead guilty, it would just be a better route for everybody. Get it behind us,” Zinke said.
“Whatever it takes to go through the entire process, I don’t want him having a deal. I don’t want him to negotiate I want to see him in prison,” Aspinwall Sr. said.
It would be October before we know about the deal. The judge wants to wait until after Colt Gray’s father’s trial which is set for September.
If a deal is reached, it would mean an admission of guilt from Colt Gray, with the judge then deciding his sentence. It was discussed during a status hearing held Tuesday morning.
In the meantime, Colt is expected to be evaluated by a psychologist.
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