Suspected shooter won’t be released

Tue., Feb. 28, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A judge Monday ordered the 14-year-old boy accused of shooting another student at Roseburg High School to remain in custody pending his trial, which was scheduled for April 18.

Douglas County Circuit Judge Robert Millikan denied a defense motion to Vincent Leodoro to be released from juvenile detention after the prosecution argued he posed a danger to society and himself.

Leodoro is charged with felony counts of attempted murder, assault, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal use of a firearm in the Thursday shooting of Joseph Monti, 16, in a school courtyard just before classes began for the day. Leodoro is to be tried as a juvenile.

Assistant District Attorney Rick Wesenberg said police have yet to determine the motive for the shooting, which investigators have said involved some sort of dispute between the two boys.

Police have said Monti, whose condition was upgraded to fair at Mercy Medical Center, was cited earlier this month on a misdemeanor harassment charge of spitting on a school bus rider, but that investigators had not found any obvious connection with the shooting.

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