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.
Nelly Korda 1 shot back through 36 holes at Chevron Championship as she chases 5th straight victory
Pic story of luthier in Yingkou City, China's Liaoning
Chinese engineers install cutting
Traditional Chinese health regimens gain popularity among young people
G7 comes for Putin, Ayatollah and Xi: Ukraine to receive frozen Russian assets to fund 'game
Conference highlights human rights advancement in Xinjiang
Cable car accident: 174 people stranded in the air rescued in Turkey
Sheep breeding cooperatives boost incomes of Xizang herders
Chinese cities mobilize new technologies to spur improved development
UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats
Pic story of luthier in Yingkou City, China's Liaoning