Suspected Mattoon High School Shooter Due for Trial in September

A Mattoon High School student accused of shooting a classmate last year has waived his right to a jury trial.

Trial judge Matt Sullivan has made a blended juvenile and adult prison sentence possible, so the jury trial was an option. Typically in juvenile cases, trials by jury are not held.

Sullivan has scheduled an adjudicatory hearing for the juvenile for September 14. That's when the judge will hear the evidence in the case and render a verdict. The juvenile is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.

The shooting last September in the Mattoon High School cafeteria left a student wounded. A teacher grabbed the student's arm as he allegedly aimed to shoot a girl. When the gun discharged, the girl was missed but another student was injured.

The suspect is being held in a juvenile detention facility.