Bomb Plotter's Lawyer Wants Charges Dropped
Teen Jared Cano never possessed the knowledge and correct bomb-making materials to wreak havoc on Freedom High School, attorney argues.
The lawyer of the teen arrested for plotting to blow up Freedom High School is asking the judge to throw out the charges against his client.
Defense attorney Norman S. Cannella Sr. is arguing Jared Cano had neither the knowledge nor correct materials to carry out such a devastating plan, according to www.tbo.com.
An explosives expert testified Thursday the plastic tubing, shrapnel and timing devices would not have exploded.
The state meanwhile is arguing that point is irrelevant under the law.
"He was attempting to make an explosive device. ... The statute doesn't require that the bomb actually works,” Assistant State Attorney John Terry said, according to www.tbo.com.
Cano was arrested in August after authorities received a tip from an unnamed student about Cano’s intentions to wreak havoc on the first day of the 2011-2012 school year at Freedom — the same school that had expelled him. Cannella also argued Cano only mentioned the threat to the student and not the school itself, making it "a threat in a vacuum," according to the Tampa Bay Times.
In addition to shrapnel, tubing and timing devices, authorities found at Cano’s home a diary with "very specific" and "minute-by-minute" details for killing specific administrators as well as students who happened to be nearby.
Cano allegedly had expressed an interest in taking more lives than those lost in 1999’s Columbine High School massacre.
The judge will issue a written order later this year.
Previous Coverage on Jared Cano:
John Majeski
11:06 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
Readers, what's your take?
Does it matter that his bomb-making materials would not have exploded? Is intent enough?
John Stanley
12:06 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
The attorney is doing what he is paid to do, but I sure hope it fails!