Judge delays SC teen's trial on explosive charges

Judge delays SC teen's trial on explosives charges
By MEG KINNARD Associated Press Writer
Posted: Today at 12:55 p.m.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal judge has delayed the trial of a South Carolina teen accused of plotting to blow up his high school, according to court documents.
Jury selection in Ryan Schallenberger's case had been scheduled to begin next week. But on Monday, U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell granted a request by Schallenberger's attorneys to give them more time to prepare for the 18-year-old's trial on federal explosives charges.
The straight-A student was arrested April 19 after police say his parents picked up a package addressed to him containing 20 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Police said a search of his home found other materials needed to make several bombs and a cassette tape Schallenberger wanted played after death in an assault planned on Chesterfield High School.
Authorities also found a journal in which Schallenberger praised the Columbine High School killers in Colorado. A judge is considering a request by Schallenberger's attorneys to seal the journal, which authorities say also contains notes the teen made about explosives he had evaluated.
Schallenberger pleaded not guilty last week to receiving an explosive, attempting to destroy property by explosive and possessing an unregistered destructive device. If convicted on all charges, he would face a maximum of 40 years in prison.
In May, prosecutors dropped the most serious charge, attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, which carried a maximum life sentence. They have declined to say why they dropped the charge.
The month before, a federal agent testified that Schallenberger told investigators after he was arrested that he wanted to die, go to heaven and kill Jesus.
He has remained in jail without bond since his arrest and also faces state charges.
A judge has granted prosecutors' request that Schallenberger undergo a mental examination by state experts, but that is on hold as defense lawyers appeal. Schallenberger's attorneys have argued that a different psychiatrist found the teen competent to stand trial and assist his lawyers.
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