Judge drops some charges against ex
NORTHFIELD, Minn. (AP) — A judge has dismissed some of the most serious charges against a former Minnesota college student who police and prosecutors feared was plotting a campus shooting.
Waylon Kurts, of Montpelier, Vermont, who was then a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, was charged last April with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit threats of violence, making terroristic threats, and a less serious count of conspiracy to commit theft. Prosecutors alleged he was “planning a mass casualty event.”
But Rice County Judge Christine Long this week dismissed two of the felony counts against Kurts, citing a lack of evidence that he was conspiring with anyone to commit assault or threats of violence, KARE-TV reported.
Kurts, who has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail, has maintained that he is a recreational firearms enthusiast and was just exchanging text messages on that topic with a like-minded friend.
Related articles
This Week: Home sales, Fed meeting minutes and consumer sentiment index
A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this weekSPOTLIGHT ON HOU2024-05-21Xi Urges Young Officials to Take on Historical Task on New Journey
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-21Xi, Peng Liyuan extend Chinese New Year greetings to U.S. Lincoln High School teachers, students
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Sunday replied to a Chinese New Year gree2024-05-21More U.S., China financial cooperation expected by industry insiders
Bryan Lin (L), CEO of Huatai Securities (USA), Inc., makes a presentation during a panel discussion2024-05-21Ravens sign WR Qadir Ismail, the son of former NFL receiver Qadry Ismail
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have signed wide receiver Qadir Ismail, the son of for2024-05-21In pics: industrial production across China
A staff member works at a production line in a new material company in Zaozhuang, east China's Shand2024-05-21
atest comment