Boy Sentenced For Bomb Hoax At Courthouse

A 15-year-old Spokane boy didn’t put the public in danger when he and a friend planted a fake bomb outside the downtown U.S. Court House, a judge decided Monday.

While the Nov. 27 hoax caused “a great deal of havoc,” it doesn’t warrant an exceptional sentence, Judge Richard Schroeder said.

The youth pleaded guilty last month in Juvenile Court to first-degree malicious mischief and intimidation or harassment with an explosive, both felonies.

Rejecting the prosecution’s request for a yearlong sentence, Schroeder imposed a 45-day term, and the teenager was given credit for 41 days already served. His 14-year-old accomplice received the same sentence last week.

Both still could be forced to pay restitution, which cost thousands of dollars in city services.

The hoax cost taxpayers nearly $10,000 in extra police services. Other expenses are being calculated.

Police evacuated hundreds of people while the bomb squad destroyed the device.

The boys said they came up with the idea after watching an episode of “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” in which Nazi-sympathizing youths planted a bomb.

, DataTimes