Accused Freeman High School shooter’s trial set for October 2020
SPOKANE, Wash. — The accused Freeman High School shooter’s trial will begin in October 2020, nearly a year after the trial was expected to begin.
Judge Michael Price made the decision Friday at Caleb Sharpe’s pre-trial hearing.
Sharpe admitted to opening fire at FHS in 2017. He was 15 at the time. One of his classmates, Sam Strahan, was killed and three others were injured.
Sharpe is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree attempted murder and 51 counts of second-degree assault.
Price decided Sharpe would be charged and tried as an adult in July.
Sharpe was represented by attorney Bevan Maxey through his declination hearing. Maxey has stepped away from the case, citing unpaid legal fees on behalf of the Sharpe family.
On Friday, Sharpe appeared in court with his new public defenders Brooke Foley and Tony Beattie.
Sharpe’s new legal team expressed concerned about being ready for the trial by 2020. They said they joined the case two years late.
Price called them “fine lawyers” and said he is confident they will be ready.
Starting Friday, there will be a status hearing every 60 days to make sure all parties are ready for the October 2020 trial date. Price said the trial is expected to last between four and six weeks.
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