Admitted Freeman shooter pleads not guilty on all charges, trial set for October
SPOKANE, Wash. — Admitted Freeman school shooter Caleb Sharpe went before a judge Friday and pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against him.
Sharpe, now 17, is accused of opening fire at Freeman High School in 2017, killing one student and injuring three others.
In July, Judge Michael Price ruled Sharpe would be charged and tried as an adult. He is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree attempted murder and 51 counts of second-degree assault.
Price’s decision came after a week of testimony and questioning as part of Sharpe’s declination hearing. Through the hearing, Price considered eight Kent Factors, which are standards for determining whether a juvenile suspect will be tried as an adult.
Sharpe’s attorney Bevan Maxey touched on two of the factors frequently throughout the hearing: sophistication and maturity, as well as prospect for rehabilitation v. protection. Maxey argued his client was immature at the time of the shooting due to brain damage suffered at birth.
Prosecutor Larry Haskell argued Sharpe knew the extent of his actions. Detective Scott Bonney, who interviewed Sharpe immediately after the shooting, told the court Sharpe admitted he planned the shooting for two years.
On Friday, Sharpe’s bond was set at $1 million. His trial will begin in October.
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