Kid in Court for School Bombing Plot
Two Maryland teens accused of plotting to use explosive devices to kill their high school principal and set the school's auditorium on fire were in court on Thursday.
Springbrook High School students Yonata Getachew, 18, and Anthony Torrance, 17, were ordered held without bond by a judge. In front of a packed courtroom filled with family and friends, the prosecutor told the judge the Getachew hated his guidance counselor, Camille Bosoco, so much he planned to attack her with a bag filled with nails and rocks.
The principal, Michael Durso, was targeted because he agreed with everything the counselor said and did. Prosecutors say that infuriated Getachew, who planned to roll a nail-filled bomb into the principal's office.
But Getachew's defense attorney, David Putzi, said in court his client is learning disabled and hardly capable of carrying out a nefarious plot.
"I think it's a little premature to react to the accusations at this time-- many of which were not made by my client himself," said Putzi. "When this shakes out in the next couple of weeks but I question whether a lot of that will be verified in the long run."
In the last couple of weeks, police say Getachew and 17-year-old Anthony Torrance tested three incendiary devices inside the school while classes were in session. Part of the plot, police say, involved cutting a gas line in the school auditorium and setting it on fire.
Outside the courthouse Thursday, family members defended the teens, telling reporters they were good boys who had never been in trouble.
'He's a good boy, a good boy," said Andrea Torrance, Anthony's mother. "I'm sorry but I can't talk to ya'll."
Torrance added that her son 'wouldn't hurt a soul.' According to his mother, the boy has special needs.
"Sadly it wouldn't be the first time we had a situation where family members and friends of young people were surprised about the conduct they became involved in or allegedly became involved in," said State's Attorney John McCarthy, "and ultimately these are very, very serious matters."
Police say the plot came unraveled when Torrence confessed to the school resource officer, pointing a finger at Getachew.
"Everybody's concerned because this is unexpected," said Mesfin Belo, Getachew's uncle. "We don't know about the case but we know him from childhood. He is a very nice boy, always caring for his mother."
As he left the courthouse, Getachew's father declined to comment. Two family members were so overwhelmed they needed medical attention. One was taken away in an ambulance.
By PAUL WAGNER/myfoxdc
