Student in lockdown incident released from jail

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 5:02 PM Monday, November 16, 2009

LEBANON — One of two students accused of lying to police about being threatened in an incident Nov. 6 that led to the lock down of Lebanon High School was released following a hearing held Monday, Nov. 16, in Lebanon Municipal Court.

Judge Mark Bogen released Ashley Meece, 18, pending a preliminary hearing tentatively set for Nov. 30 on charges of inducing panic, a second-degree felony, and falsification, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Her attorney Jeff Richards was not at Monday’s hearing but had been in contact with the court, the judge said.

As for returning to classes, Bogen said that would between the school and Meece.

She appeared handcuffed in a yellow jail suit for her hearing. During a courtroom break, Meece seemed to be cheerful communicated with several people in the audience mouthing words and using hand gestures.

The Nov. 30 preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to forward the felony case to a Warren County grand jury for possible indictment.

Meece had been held in the Warren County Jail under a $25,000 bond since her arrest at the high school on Nov. 11.

The other student, a 16-year-old girl, is on house arrest and is being monitored by a GPS system as well as her parents. She was released into her parents custody Nov. 13 from the Warren County Juvenile Detention Center. Following a hearing on Nov. 12. She was also arrested at the high school on Nov. 11.

Juvenile court officials said she has been charged with delinquency by way of inducing panic and falsification. She denied the charges during her hearing on Nov. 12.

A pre-trial hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 and a trial date was also set for 9 a.m. Jan. 25.

Officers were dispatched to the school on Nov. 6 for a report of threats. They later arrested former student Gary Fenn, 18, at his home.

“School officials reviewed the videotapes and found that the students that alleged that the threats were made were never in close proximity with Mr. Fenn and that the threats never occurred,” according to police.

Fenn was arraigned Nov. 9 and pleaded not guilty to an aggravated trespassing charge, a first-degree misdemeanor, and is free on a $25,000 bond.

A pre-trial hearing is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 23.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.

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