Leodoro trial moved to June so lawyers can prepare

The judge presiding over the attempted murder trial of a teen accused of shooting a fellow student at Roseburg High School agreed Friday to move the boy’s trial to June 27.

Lawyers representing the state and alleged shooter Vincent Leodoro, 14, asked Douglas County Circuit Judge Robert Millikan for the postponement so the two sides have more time to prepare.

Defense attorney Bruce Tower filed a motion recently indicating he intended to prove Leodoro was suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of the Feb. 23 shooting. Senior Deputy District Attorney Rick Wesenberg told Millikan he would need to schedule Leodoro for an examination at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem as a result of the defense motion, which could not be done before the originally scheduled trial date of April 18.

Tower and Wesenberg also agreed the defense team needed more time to review the wealth of investigative material recently provided by the state.

Leodoro is accused of shooting 16-year-old Joseph Monti several times with a 10 mm handgun in the school courtyard as class was starting. He is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, possession of a weapon in a public building, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Though Monti’s injuries were serious, he was expected to make a full recovery.

If convicted of the attempted murder charge Leodoro could be detained in a youth correctional facility until he is 25.