No charges yet in school slashing

MONTROSE — One of two boys held in the Nov. 11 knife attack at Montrose High appeared in court Friday, when the district attorney’s office was given 10 more business days to formally file charges.

The boy, 14, appeared in an institutional orange shirt and blue pants, with his hands cuffed in front of him. He’s accused of conspiracy in the wounding of Montrose High School Junior Mallory Haulman, 17.

Haulman has since returned to class and is recovering from surgery that repaired severe knife wounds.

Another boy, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder. Police allege he followed Haulman and her sister into Montrose High and cut her throat from behind. Formal charges against him are due Monday; he will appear in court Wednesday.

Friday, the district attorney’s office requested more time to file on the alleged conspirator. Bill Richardson, the youth’s defense attorney, did not oppose the request.

“He (client) understands that means your original order of detention stands,” Richardson told Judge Jeff Herron.

Richardson also requested notes and tapes of police interviews be preserved; Assistant District Attorney Jerry Montgomery did not object.

Herron found good cause existed for the extension and re-set the youth for 9 a.m. Dec. 4.

The child was arrested on a warrant a few days after the alleged slasher, also 14, was captured near the school.

The conspiracy suspect’s parents previously told the Daily Press their son was badgered by police and was only standing near the first boy, a friend of his, when police arrived. They said their son did not believe the slashing suspect when he allegedly boasted of cutting Haulman.

According to information that surfaced in court, the child accused of wielding the knife was sent to Pueblo for an evaluation. He was ordered held without bond at Grand Mesa Youth Services in Grand Junction earlier this week.

The alleged slasher was not a student at Montrose High. The alleged conspirator is, and has been recommended for expulsion, school district spokeswoman Linda Gann said.

“Obviously, when the judicial system is involved, or police are called to a school, even if charges aren’t filed, sometimes, that’s enough to suspend a student immediately,” she said.

“Anytime an incident in school involves a threat to other students or to staff members, Colorado statute does provide that schools can immediately suspend (a student) and recommend expulsion.”