BORDERLAND

Start High student pleads not guilty in gun incident

5/16/2014

A Start High School student who is charged with taking a gun to school pleaded not guilty Thursday to four felony charges.

Willie Carter III, 19, of 1928 Brame Pl. was arraigned before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ruth Ann Franks, who set bond at $125,000 and ordered that he have no contact with Start High School.

Mr. Carter is charged with having a weapon while under disability, carrying a concealed weapon, illegal possession of a deadly weapon in a school-safety zone, and trafficking in marijuana. He was arrested April 28 in Start’s cafeteria where police said they found a .45-caliber handgun and seven bags of marijuana in his possession.

School officials have recommended Mr. Carter be expelled, Toledo Public Schools spokesman Patty Mazur said Thursday.

Judge Franks ordered that Mr. Carter be evaluated by Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center and scheduled a competency hearing for June 16.