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.
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Bears GM Ryan Poles says 'tune in on Thursday' for No. 1 overall pick at the NFL draft
Billie Piper claims her Sky drama I Hate Suzie 'didn't get a big enough audience'
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
China unveils data of technically recoverable oil and gas resources
Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad lead Rangers to 4
Turkish dental surgeon screwed tooth implant into father's BRAIN cavity in horrific blunder
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts working with Shohei Ohtani on strike zone discipline
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Pakistan's Karachi bans drones due to security threats