West Liberty school shooting suspect appears in adult court for 1st time

UPDATE @ 2:57 p.m. :

Ely Serna waived the reading of the indictment for the 13 charges against him during his initial appearance in Champaign County Common Pleas Court.

A not guilty plea was entered on Serna’s behalf by the court.

Serna’s bond was set at $1 million.

The judge also ruled that Serna no longer needs ankle restraints when in the courtroom.

Approximately 60 witnesses could be used for a jury trial that is scheduled for Aug. 21.

UPDATE @ 2:33 p.m.:

Ely Serna is expected to appear for his arraignment in Champaign County Common Pleas Court this afternoon.

INITIAL REPORT:

The suspect in the West Liberty-Salem High School shooting has been indicted on 13 counts, including two counts of attempted murder.

>>RELATED: West Liberty school shooting: Accused to be tried as adult 

Ely Serna, 17, is being tried as an adult in Champaign County Common Pleas Court after a juvenile judge found he was competent to stand trial. He is due in court on June 15 at 2:30 p.m. for an arraignment hearing.

>>RELATED: Defense wants hearing closed for accused West Liberty shooter 

Serna is alleged to have brought a shotgun into school Jan. 20 and shooting 17-year-old Logan Cole twice. He also is accused of striking another student with a pellet from the gun.

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Serna faces two counts of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault, six counts of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or a school safety zone, a count of inducing panic and an count of illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone.

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