School Gunman’s Trial Delayed Indefinitely
An appeals court Wednesday indefinitely delayed the murder trial of Charles Andrew Williams, 15, accused of killing two students and wounding 13 people in a March 5 shooting rampage at Santana High School in Santee.
The delay was ordered while the 4th District Court of Appeal decides issues involving a challenge to Proposition 21, the voter-approved measure that gives prosecutors the power to charge juveniles as adults. Defense attorneys assert that the initiative is unconstitutional because it strips judges of that authority.
Williams is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and 26 other felonies. Although he is too young to be sentenced to death, he faces life in prison if convicted.
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