Shockley makes initial court appearances

MORGAN COUNTY — A bond hearing was held Tuesday morning for Trinity Shockley in Morgan County Superior Court I.

The 18-year-old high school senior has been accused of planning a mass shooting at Mooresville High School on Valentine’s Day. Someone called the FBI tip line to report her, which started the investigation and led to her arrest last Wednesday.

Shockley has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder-Does Not Result in Death, a level 2 felony, and two counts of Intimidation-Threat to commit terrorism, both level 5 felonies.

Since her arrest last week, Shockley has been held without bond in the Morgan County Jail.

Superior Court Judge Dakota VanLeeuwen has been asked to set a bond amount for Shockley, which will allow her to get out of jail.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Cassie Mellady began the Tuesday hearing by asking Mooresville Det. Matt McDaniel a series of questions about items allegedly found in Shockley’s home.

During the 45-minute hearing, Shockley, wearing her yellow jumpsuit, stared down at the defense table or at Mellady and McDaniel. She showed no emotion during the hearing.

McDaniel said there was allegedly a large amount of items — mainly written notes — found in Shockley’s home.

She allegedly has posters/pictures of various school shooters on her bedroom walls.

McDaniel said she allegedly wrote she was “in love” with school shooter Nicholas Cruz.

She had allegedly written, “I love you Nicholas,” numerous times in her notebooks. Shockley allegedly wrote she hated people and wanted to kill them. She allegedly told investigators she wanted to shoot up the school to show (Nicholas) she was his No. 1 fan and how much she loved him.

McDaniel said several magazines for a semi automatic weapon, along with bullets were allegedly found in her home.

He said no firearms were found in the home.

Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega has said that in Indiana, unless it is a specific type of crime, suspects are entitled to having a bond amount that will allow them to get out of jail.

Mellady said that in Shockley’s case, the state would ask for a high bond, $500,000 property/surety and $250,000 cash. Mellady said that if, for some reason, Shockley was able to bond out, she would have restrictions on where she can go and what she can do.

The state is contending she is a risk to the public due to her past statements and actions.

McDaniel said after she was arrested, she was interviewed by an officer in the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department.

That interview was entered into evidence by state, and both the judge and defense attorney, Joseph Gaunt, said they wanted to watch the video before allowing it to be entered into evidence.

The judge agreed to take the matter under advisement until after it is reviewed by both parties and a special hearing is done later this week.

That hearing allegedly deals with Indiana’s Red Flag laws.

McDaniel said Shockley has been texting with other people, some of whom are out-of-state residents. She allegedly told at least one person about her plans, which allowed authorities to arrest her before she could act on her feelings.

While Mellady said the state requested a $500,000 property/surety and $250,000 cash,

Gaunt said the alleged facts do not show the need for that type of bond. He asked for a bond of $30,000 property/surety and $5,000 cash.

The judge said she would take the matter under advisement and rule after the parties have viewed the interview video and a hearing is held later this week to see if Shockley will be banned from owning a firearm.

Initial hearing held Friday

Shockley had her initial hearing last Friday afternoon in the magistrate’s court.

Shockley attended the hearing by video conferencing from the Morgan County Jail.

In a quiet voice, Shockley answered questions from Magistrate Terry Iacoli.

Iacoli read Shockley a list of charges that had been filed against her.

After reading the charges, Iacoli filed not guilty pleas on all three charges for her.

Shockley said she had worked at a job in Mooresville for a week and had not received a paycheck yet.

Iacoli assigned a public defender, local attorney Joseph Gaunt, to represent her.