Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray appeared in Barrow County Superior Court on Friday following this week’s mass shooting.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that Gray had been “charged with 4 counts of felony murder in connection to the shooting” at Apalachee High School in Barrow County — but the judge says he will not face the death penalty.
“I want to make you aware that the maximum penalty for felony murder. So, for each count, the maximum penalty is that you could be punishable by death, by imprisonment for life without parole or by imprisonment for life, with the possibility of parole,” Judge Currie Mingledorff II originally told Gray at the hearing.
Colt Gray, charged as an adult with four counts of murder, leaves the Barrow County courthouse after his first appearance for the Wednesday shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool)
However, the judge quickly walked back that statement, announcing that the maximum penalty for Gray does not include the death penalty.
Mingledorff said that at this point, there is no bond being requested for Gray.
Gray did not enter a plea during the appearance.
An attorney representing Gray also told the judge “there was a development yesterday afternoon that makes it necessary for our office to have alternate counsel appointed, and arrangements have already been made in that regard.”
VIDEOS TAKEN INSIDE APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW GUN, ORDERED EVACUATIONS
Barrow County Superior Court Judge Currie Mingledorff II speaks during a first appearance of Colt Gray at the Barrow County courthouse. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool)
“I’ve already explained that to Mr. Gray. Alternate counsel will be appointed by the end of the day today,” she added.
The suspect’s father, Colin Gray appeared in court not long after his son for a separate hearing.
Colin Gray was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
“For the felony murder counts… the maximum penalty for each count is up to 30 years imprisonment,” Judge Currie Mingledorff II said. “For felony involuntary manslaughter… the maximum penalty for for each of those offenses is ten years imprisonment.”
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People attend a vigil at Jug Tavern Park following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. (REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage)
“For the eight felony cruelty to children counts, the maximum penalty under the law for each of those eight counts is ten years imprisonment for a maximum total, possible penalty for the charges that you currently are facing, of 180 years imprisonment,” the judge concluded.
Gray could be seen rocking back and forth in his chair after the judge spoke. The preliminary hearing in his case, like his son’s, will be on Dec. 4.
