Update (Feb. 20)
In an order from the Morgan County Superior Court, the court found that Trinity Shockley will be held on no bond “pending the completion of psychological evaluations.”
“The court finds that the nature and gravity of the offense is significant,” the order read. “The weight and the impact to the community of the crime alleged are insurmountable.”
Morgan County Judge Dakota Van Leeuwen said in the order that Shockley “represents a significant threat to the safety of herself and the public.” Van Leeuwen said that Shockley’s behavior is “erratic” and is concerned that Shockley will “continue to act irrationally and feel violent/rage due to mental health in which (Shockey) indicated (they) cannot control.”
“(Shockley) self indicates (they are) struggling from mental health issues,” the order reads. “(Shockley) appears to be unstable and there are many contradictions between the statements or representations of (Shockley) and reality.”
The order reads that Van Leeuwen will reconsider this position after two full psychological exams are conducted and reviewed.
Original Story:
MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — The Mooresville High School student accused of plotting to kill her classmates on Valentine’s Day appeared in a bond hearing Tuesday morning at the Morgan County Courthouse.
18-year-old Trinity Shockley is charged with multiple felonies, including conspiracy to commit murder and terrorism.
During the hearing, evidence was presented to the court arguing why Shockley is a danger to society if bail is met. The judge is reviewing additional evidence before making a decision.
According to court documents, Shockley had imagined being seen by a judge after the planned lunchtime mass shooting.
Thanks to quick efforts from law enforcement, she was detained before acting upon it.
“We presented evidence through Mooresville Police Department, with the help of other outside law enforcement agencies, that we believe she’s a threat to the community,” said Chief Deputy Prosecutor Cassie Mellady. “We asked for a very high property surety bond as well as a cash bond.”
The Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office is asking for a $500,000 surety, plus a $250,000 cash bond.
“If she is able to post bond, we ask for additional conditions regarding having her on home detention with GPS monitoring,” said Mellady.
The judge granted the state’s request to seal items presented in court Tuesday, as the investigation is still ongoing.
It all started with an anonymous tip, which was forwarded to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin.
However, they quickly realized the direct threat was elsewhere.
“We had the tipster start conversing with the individual on the Discord app,” said Sheriff Martin Schulteis. “That’s where we got the pictures of the young lady from Indiana, the pictures of the magazines, the tactical vest and ammunition.”
Court docs share chilling details, like Shockley’s inspiration for the killing spree.
It states that she looked up to other school shooters, even posting pictures of some shooters on her bedroom walls.
“My kids go to the school, so my daughter would have been in the cafeteria,” said Addie Angelov, a local Mooresville parent and CEO of Paramount Health Data Project, a mental health-focused nonprofit.
Court documents claim Shockley had experienced a series of tragedies and struggled with mental health, but her father denied her treatment.
“Each one of these things should have been something that triggered help, right?” said Angelov. “The reality is none of them did.”
During today’s bond hearing, prosecutors also requested that Shockley be given mental health treatment.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for mid-May and a jury trial is set for June 10.
