T.J. Lane To Undergo Mental Health Exam In Ohio School Shooting Case

CHARDON, Ohio — A judge has ordered a mental competency exam for a teenager accused of fatally shooting three students in a high school last month.

Judge Timothy Grendell in Geauga County Juvenile Court said in a brief notice Tuesday that he had ordered the evaluation of 17-year-old T.J. Lane. The judge didn't elaborate and attorneys in the case are under a gag order.

The ruling postpones next Tuesday's hearing that had been scheduled to determine if the case should move to adult court for trial. The judge said he would meet with attorneys on April 9 to schedule a competency hearing and a second hearing on whether Lane must be tried as an adult.

John Lawson, a Cleveland attorney who specializes in juvenile law, said Wednesday that the judge may have initiated the competency exam on his own or the prosecutor or defense may have requested it.

Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce said of Lane two days after the shooting, "This is someone who's not well, and I'm sure in our court case we'll prove that to all of your desires and we'll make sure justice is done here in this county." Joyce would not elaborate.

Authorities say Lane entered the cafeteria at Chardon High School on Feb. 27 and opened fire, killing three students and seriously wounding two others. The motive remains unclear, though the prosecutor apparently has ruled out theories involving bullying or drug-dealing.

Lane was charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault.

Under a new state law, a child may be found competent only if able to grasp the seriousness of the charges, if able to understand the court proceedings, if able to aid in the defense and if able to understand potential consequences.

The law says a child with a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability may not be found competent.

Photos of T.J. Lane:

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• TJ Lane

  T.J. Lane smirks as he listens to the judge during sentencing Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Chardon, Ohio. Lane, was given three lifetime prison sentences without the possibility of parole Tuesday for opening fire last year in a high school cafeteria in a rampage that left three students dead and three others wounded. Lane, 18, had pleaded guilty last month to shooting at students in February 2012 at Chardon High School, east of Cleveland. Investigators have said he admitted to the shooting but said he didn't know why he did it. Before the case went to adult court last year, a juvenile court judge ruled that Lane was mentally competent to stand trial despite evidence he suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies. (AP Photo/The News-Herald, Duncan Scott, Pool)

• T.J. Lane

  T.J. Lane sits in court during sentencing Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Chardon, Ohio. Lane, was given three lifetime prison sentences without the possibility of parole Tuesday for opening fire last year in a high school cafeteria in a rampage that left three students dead and three others wounded. Lane, 18, had pleaded guilty last month to shooting at students in February 2012 at Chardon High School, east of Cleveland. Investigators have said he admitted to the shooting but said he didn't know why he did it. Before the case went to adult court last year, a juvenile court judge ruled that Lane was mentally competent to stand trial despite evidence he suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies. (AP Photo/The News-Herald, Duncan Scott, Pool)

• TJ Lane

  T.J. Lane unbuttons his shirt during sentencing Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Chardon, Ohio. Lane, was given three lifetime prison sentences without the possibility of parole Tuesday for opening fire last year in a high school cafeteria in a rampage that left three students dead and three others wounded. Lane, 18, had pleaded guilty last month to shooting at students in February 2012 at Chardon High School, east of Cleveland. Investigators have said he admitted to the shooting but said he didn't know why he did it. Before the case went to adult court last year, a juvenile court judge ruled that Lane was mentally competent to stand trial despite evidence he suffers from hallucinations, psychosis and fantasies. (AP Photo/The News-Herald, Duncan Scott, Pool)

• Chardon High School Shooting

  Students leave with parents from Maple Elementary School after a shooting at Chardon High School Monday. Students assembled at Maple Elementary School after a shooting took place at the high school. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day, killing three students and wounding two others, officials said. A suspect is in custody. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

• Ohio Shooting

  Community members attend a during a prayer service for victims of a school shooting at Chardon Assembly of God in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the Chardon High School's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others.

• Demetrius Hewlin

  Demetrius Hewlin, a junior, was one of three students taken by helicopter to a local hospital following the shooting. He died. <em>Photo provided via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Demetrius-Hewlin/115955785195928?sk=wall" target="_hplink">Facebook</a> tribute. </em>

• Danny Parmertor

  Danny Parmertor, 16, a junior, was shot along with several classmates while waiting for a bus. Parmertor was airlifted to a hospital and died shortly after. <em>Photo provided via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Danny-Parmertor/121146101345306" target="_hplink">Facebook</a> tribute.</em>

• Russell King

  Russell King Jr., 17, was pronounced brain dead shortly after the shooting and died the next day. <em>Photo provide via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Russell-King/385026981508707" target="_hplink">Facebook</a> tribute. </em>

• Ohio High School Shooting

  A FBI agent speaks with people in front of Chardon High School where a shooting took place on Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman, believed to be a student, opened fire inside the high school cafeteria, immediately killing three students and wounding two others.

• Ohio Shooting

  Flags fly at half staff in front of the town hall in Chardon, Ohio for the victims of an early morning school shooting on Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day, killing three students and wounding two others.

• TJ Lane

  This February 27, 2012 photograph shows a picture of Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane posing on his Facebook page. Lane, opened fire with a handgun on a group of fellow students at Chardon High shortly after the start of the school day on Monday, killing three and wounding two others.

• Ohio Shooting

  An Ohio Highway Patrol helicopter takes off from the rear of Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others, officials said.

• Ohio School Shooting: Prayer Service

  Alissa Sully, 17, hugs a friend before a prayer service for victims of a school shooting at Chardon Assembly of God in Chardon, Ohio Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

• Ohio School Shooting

  A woman and her children walk down a back street near Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others, officials said. Special Agent Vicki Anderson said Monday the shooter was taken into custody near his car about half a mile (one kilometer) away from the high school. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

• Four Students Injured, Two Killed In Ohio High School Shooting

  A sign in front of Chardon High School where a shooting took place on Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman, believed to be a student, opened fire inside the high school cafeteria, immediately killing one student and wounding two others. Two others later died from the injuries.

• Ohio School Shooting: Press Conference

  Chardon School Superintendant Joe Bergant speaks to the media during a press conference at Chardon High School where a shooting took place on Feb. 27, 2012 in Chardon, Ohio. A gunman, believed to be a student, opened fire inside the high school cafeteria, killing three students and wounding two others.

• Ohio High School Shooting

  Doug Gasper, a ninth-grader at Chardon High School, is hugged by his mother, Sandy, as they leave Maple Elementary School Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Chardon, Ohio. Students assembled at Maple Elementary School after a shooting took place at the high school. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day, killing three students and wounding two others, officials said. A suspect is in custody. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

• Ohio High School Shooting: Police Search

  Investigative agents search a home several miles from the shooting Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Chardon, Ohio. A gunman opened fire inside a high school cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, immediately killing three students and wounding two others, authorities said. A suspect believed to be a student was arrested a short distance away. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

• Ohio High School Shooting: Evidence Search

  FBI and local police investigators search for evidence in a rural area of Chardon Township, Ohio Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others, officials said. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

• Ohio High School Shooting: Prayer Service

  Rev. Jeff Johnson, left, and Bill Mullett lead prayers during a service for victims of a school shooting at Chardon Assembly of God in Chardon, Ohio Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

• Ohio High School Shooting: Press Conference

  Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland addresses the media regarding an early morning shooting at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the school's cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

• OHIO SCHOOL SHOOTING

  Map locates Chardon, Ohio, site of a school shooting

• Search For Ohio High School Shooter

  A deputy sheriff searches a wooded area with his gun drawn several miles from Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the high school cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday, killing three students and wounding two others, authorities said. A suspect believed to be a student was arrested a short distance away. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

• Ohio Shooting

  A group of students and parents pray for victims of a school shooting on the square in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday. Three of the victims have died and two others remain wounded.

• Ohio Shooting

  A group of students and parents pray for victims of a school shooting on the square in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012. A gunman opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria at the start of the school day Monday. Three of the victims have died and two others remain wounded.

• TJ Lane

  T.J. Lane, a suspect in Monday's shooting of five students at Chardon High School is taken into juvenile court by Geauga County deputies in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012. Three of the five students wounded in the attacks have since died.

• Candlelight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012.

• Candlelight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012.

• Candlelight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012.

• Candlelight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012.

• Candlelight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church in Chardon, Ohio on Feb. 28, 2012.

• Candleight Vigil

  Students and those in the community embrace one another as they hold a candlelight vigil at St Mary's of the Assumption Church on February 28, 2012 in Chardon, Ohio. Gunman and student TJ Lane opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria that left 3 students dead and two injured.

• Red Ribbon

  Heidi Marks finishes tying a red ribbon around the tree in front of her home outside Chardon High School, where her son David, 17, is a student in Chardon, Ohio on February 28, 2012. Gunman and student TJ Lane opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria that left 3 students dead and two injured.

• TJ Lane

  T. J. Lane, center, is led from Juvenile Court in Chardon, Ohio Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. Lane, 17, admitted taking a .22-caliber pistol to Chardon High School Monday, along with a knife, and firing 10 shots at a group of students sitting at a cafeteria table Monday morning, Prosecutor David Joyce said.

• Danny Parmertor

  Danny Parmertor, 16, a junior, was shot along with several classmates while waiting for a bus. Parmertor was airlifted to a hospital and died shortly after. <em>Photo provided via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Danny-Parmertor/121146101345306" target="_hplink">Facebook</a> tribute.</em>

• Chardon High School

  Two students hug on the town square in Chardon, Ohio, on March 1, before marching to the high school to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Chardon High School

  Students and parents march to the high school in Chardon, Ohio on March 1, 2012, to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Chardon High School

  Hundreds of students and parents march to the Chardon High Schooll in Chardon, Ohio on March 1, 2012 to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Chardon High School

  A tribute to the victims of a shooting at the high school Monday, is displayed in the town square in Chardon, Ohio on March 1, 2012.

• Chardon High School

  Two students hug before hundreds of students and parents march to the high school in Chardon, Ohio on March 1, 2012, to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Chardon High School

  Assistant football coach Frank Hall talks to the media during a news-conference on March 1, 2012, in Chardon, Ohio. Three students were killed by a gunman Monday at Chardon High School. Hall chased the gunman out of the building.

• Chardon High School

  Hundreds of students and parents march to Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, on March 1, 2012, to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Chardon High School

  Residents of Chardon, Ohio, applaud as hundreds of students and parents march to the high school in Chardon on March 1, 2012, to honor the three students who were killed in a shooting there Monday.

• Daniel Permertor

  People line up outside of Monreal Funeral Home for calling hours for Daniel Permertor on March 2, 2012, in Eastlake, Ohio. Parmertor and two others were fatally shot Monday at Chardon High School. Hundreds showed up for his wake at Monreal Funeral Home in Eastlake on Friday, the same day students returned to classes.

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Comments

[Talkingjunky]

08:47 AM on 03/30/2012

Hang 'em High!

[yo drewski]

10:15 PM on 03/29/2012

Under Ohio law, competency evaluation is addressed under ORC 2945.38. If TJ Lane is being tried as an adult, then there would be a court-ordered competency evaluation. If a second opinion were deemed necessary after this, he would probably go to a state psychiatric hospital for a competency evaluation. A hospital evaluation is typically a 20-day admission. It doesn't drag out forever. The majority of people who go through this process are found competent to stand trial. There's not some huge pool of people getting a doctor's note to get them out of facing murder charges.

[Chef Chris]

01:22 AM on 04/04/2012

Thanks for a clear and reasoned explanation of how the process works in Ohio. Given the tenor of some of the comments I've read here, yours is a welcome relief. Thanks again.

[usacookie]

09:45 PM on 03/29/2012

Serious and persistent mental illness is not an excuse. Professional evaluation and court ruling determines whether the person is not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease. Getting *well* enough for release is a long road with lots of followup, little freedom and a lifetime of supervision. It is easier to go to jail and do the time.

[Juggalo17]

02:00 PM on 03/29/2012

lock his bi**h a$s up!

[Redline00]

04:01 AM on 04/03/2012

He is locked up idiot.

[browpeter]

11:23 PM on 03/28/2012

I wonder if he was on an NRA scholarship?

[pisturi]

09:37 PM on 03/28/2012

BS!!!! Mental YEAH RIGHT Try Him and lock his a-- up

[Chef Chris]

01:27 AM on 04/04/2012

Lane has been locked since shortly after the shootings and will remain locked up for many, many years to come, probably for the rest of his life. Cases like this are a tragedy on all sides.

[Game Changer 88]

09:04 PM on 03/28/2012

He probably knows things the Court and the Government don't want anyone to hear, its a shame but that's the state of this Nation.

[magus47]

08:56 PM on 03/28/2012

Has anyone ever considered the fact that anyone who does murder is not in possession of all their marbles?

[King72]

09:11 PM on 03/28/2012

John Gotti, the Dapper Don would respectfully disagree with you.

[JoePenn]

08:26 PM on 03/29/2012

Right-o - tj lane, poor victim - ahhhhh.......

[magus47]

10:01 PM on 03/29/2012

Oh don't get me wrong. I still think it would be best for all involed to just take him out back and shot him.

Like would a mad dog

[LivelyLexie]

08:10 PM on 03/28/2012

Everything about this is sad.

[TheStreak]

08:01 PM on 03/28/2012

What are you going to do? Give him a conscience, and then teach him to live with it?

[rubydragonfly88]

06:20 PM on 03/28/2012

He knew what he was doing, he needs to be diagnosed and treated, but he confessed and he admitted it was random. Because he's a juvenille he isn't ellegible for the death penalty. Also insanity is strictly a legal term, not a psychological term or diagnosis. As for anyone who doesn't believe mental illnesses exist, I'm not even dignifying that with a response. I'm not wasting my time or energy on people who are that ignorant.

[kellyslk]

06:10 PM on 03/28/2012

Yep, let's start spenind thousands of dollars to make sure this kid is or isn't ok?

Of course he's CRAZY

He's a loon, just go to trial and move on!

What a waste of money!

[GOODDOC1]

07:11 PM on 03/28/2012

The end of the article says that a juvenile there who is found to be insane may not be found competant to stand trial.

[Birdman 49]

05:20 PM on 03/28/2012

Shoot the boy, end this now. He done the crime, everyone saw him. I don't care why, it's time to end his life as well. Yes I beleive in "an eye for an eye".

[goarmystrong15]

09:04 AM on 03/29/2012

how interesting, for the "eye for an eye" law, put down by hammurabi, is wrong. an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

[s3awolff]

12:20 AM on 03/30/2012

perfect response!

[Reality always bites]

03:01 PM on 03/30/2012

Not the whole world-Just those that do wrong.
And it was a small world when Hammurabi existed!

[southern mema]

05:17 PM on 03/28/2012

how can anyone be held accountable for their crimes if everyone pleads mental illness. bulls---.that is such a cheap copout and getting really lame anymore. he knew what he was doing was wrong. something in his personal life was making him angry and he took it out on students where he was not suppose to be at in the first place. he can grasp the seriousness of the charges, but, if his attorney has him plead mental illness, well then he will be out in 25 yrs. there is a man on death row in ohio who has claimed the same thing, but he sure is in his right mind to know the laws, which he knew all along but cried mental illness. bulls--- again. this guy needs to go and this young man will act fine and dandy after a few years, knowing he got away with murder.

[King72]

09:23 PM on 03/28/2012

If he's tried as a juvenile he'll be out in 8 years. The case is still in juvenile court and they haven't had a hearing yet as to whether he'll be tried as an adult. The only variation to that is if at age 25 he's still deemed to be a threat to society, they can have him involuntarily committed for a longer period of time.

[MolliBlum]

03:00 PM on 03/29/2012

Can you then explain to me (genuine question) why 17-year-old Shawn Tyson was sentenced to life without parole? Was he not also a juvenile?
Or does this vary from state to state?

[ehs1234]

04:52 PM on 03/28/2012

Unless he is genetically certified as schizophrenic, he knew right from wrong and that is the only thing under the law that needs to be evaluated. I don't think that he or any other deserves a death penalty but definitely needs to be locked up.

[everyonenowhere]

04:58 PM on 03/28/2012

There is no such thing as "genetically certification" fyi.

[Hyacinth420]

05:13 PM on 03/28/2012

You are correct! There is no such thing as "genetically certified" or "certified" as a schizophrenic. Schizophrenia is a diagnosis, not a certification.

[GOODDOC1]

07:13 PM on 03/28/2012

There are other mental illnesses which can make a person unable to tell right from wrong. Untreated Bi-Polar disorder is one.