School shooter could face life

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CHARDON, Ohio, March 17 (UPI) -- T.J. Lane could face life in prison after pleading guilty last month to killing three students in a shooting at his Ohio high school, officials said.

Lane's sentencing hearing before Geauga County Common Pleas Judge David Fuhry was scheduled to take place Tuesday, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported Sunday.

He pleaded guilty Feb. 26 to three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault.

The plea came nearly one year to the day after the shooting rampage in Chardon High School's cafeteria that killed Demetrius Hewlin, 16, Russell King, 17, and Daniel Parmertor, 16. The shooting also injured Nicholas Walczak, Joy Rickers and Nate Mueller, leaving Walczak wheelchair-bound.

Under Ohio law, Lane cannot receive the death penalty for his crimes because he was 17 years old when the shooting occurred. The death penalty is reserved only for those 18 year old or older. His earliest possible release will be in 26 years, the Plain Dealer reported.

Family members of the shooting victims will be on hand Tuesday to give victim impact statements before the sentencing.

"I feel he should be locked up for the rest of his life," said Domenick Iammarino, Daniel's grandfather. "It was a despicable, premeditated act. He should breathe his last breath in prison."