Sentencing is scheduled for a high school sophomore who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for a shooting on the first day of school last year.
Robert Gladden Jr., 15, is to be sentenced Monday for the shooting at Perry Hall High School in September.
The judge has agreed to a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Gladden pleaded guilty last week to attempted first-degree murder as part of a plea bargain agreement. He also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in a crime of violence. Gladden was charged as an adult.
He admitted to hitting 17-year-old Daniel Borowy in the back with a shotgun blast Aug. 27 in the school cafeteria.
Borowy, who has Down syndrome, missed more than two months of school while recuperating from his injuries.
Borowy's family was not in the courtroom during the plea hearing. Milton Borowy, Daniel's father, said in a phone interview Feb. 18 that he was pleased a plea deal had been reached.
“At least the admission of guilt is finally there,” he said, later adding: “It's good to know that he is going to pay for his crime.”
Gladden's attorney, George Psoras Jr., has said that Gladden brought the gun to school to intimidate bullies and did not intend to shoot anyone. The judge rejected a motion from Psoras to move the case to juvenile court, where the teen would have faced less harsh punishment.
