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.
Rock trailblazer Heart reunites for a world tour and a new song
Missouri lawmakers expand private school scholarships backed by tax credits
Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán suspended for 11 games, fined for pointing laser at rival in Liga MX match
Trump loses bid to halt Jan. 6 lawsuits while he fights criminal charges in the 2020 election case
Stevie Nicks provides poem about ill
Alabama lawmakers advance bill to strengthen state's weak open records law
Officer fatally shoots man who confronted him with knife, authorities say
Arizona State starting quarterback Jaden Rashada enters transfer portal
Italian court drops charges against migrant rescue ship crews and ends long
Arizona State starting quarterback Jaden Rashada enters transfer portal
Dominican prosecutors arrest soldier accused of raping a 14
Thrice divorced Whoopi Goldberg, 68, admits she NEVER wanted to get married