MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Waseca teenager was in court Tuesday, and the main question under consideration was whether or not he should he be tried as an adult.
John LaDue was arrested last year after police say they found bomb-making materials in a storage locker. They also found his journal, which outlined plans to kill family members and attack his school.
LaDue faces six felony counts of possessing explosives. The more serious charges of planning to kill his family and his classmates were dropped.
LaDue, who is now 18, was 17 years old at the time of his arrest. That’s why the court is determining whether to try him as an adult.
For the entire morning Tuesday, testimony was heard from Katheryn Cranbrook, a psychologist who performs neutral evaluations for the county.
She testified that LaDue has a limited interest in developing relationships with anyone, he doesn’t show concern for the seriousness of the allegations against him, and he doesn’t believe he needs help.
From meeting with LaDue, reading his journal and going over evidence in the case, Cranbrook believes he poses a “significant risk of future violence.”
She recommended that LaDue’s case be certified to adult court. She said he requires extended intervention and monitoring, both of which he would be able to have in an adult prison setting.
After a day of testimony Tuesday, a decision was not made. However, the court has 15 days to come to a decision.
