Desjardins case continued to Jan. 27

RITZVILLE — Adams County Superior Court Judge Andrea K. Russell ruled Jan. 13 to continue the case of a high school student accused of threatening to kill classmates at school.

Lind-Ritzville student Donald DesJardins, 14, pleated not guilty Nov. 4 to felony charge of threats to bomb/injure.

He allegedly threatened to shoot several classmates and a teacher, according to police records.

Russell said part of the reason the case needs to be continued is so she can gather more information, “given that all the court has a probable cause statement (in which the) respondent did indicate his actions had been in response to being bullied...”

She set the next court date for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 27.

“If we are actually going to disposition that day, anticipate that I will ask the state if they conferred with the alleged victims in the case, whether the state considers those to be the individuals named in the email (sent to others by DesJardins) or the school administration,” Russell said. “But I will be asking that question.”

A fact-finding hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.

Desjardins was arrested on Oct. 22, following a 24-hour investigation in which several police agencies rapidly identified him as the person making threats against several students and at least one teacher via social media posts.