Dismissal of Charges in School Plot Case Appealed

WASECA, Minn. (AP) - Prosecutors appealing the dismissal of the most serious charges leveled against a 17-year-old boy accused of plotting a school attack say the judge's decision has had a critical impact on the case.

Reports say that in their appeal of the judge's decision to drop six of 12 charges, prosecutors say the counts that were dismissed were the only ones that could have presumably carried a prison sentence and affect whether or not the boy is moved to adult court.

Waseca County Judge Gerald Wolf in July dismissed four counts of attempted murder and two counts of attempted damage to property. Wolf said prosecutors didn't show sufficient evidence that the boy had made "a substantial step, beyond mere preparation," to commit murder or property damage.

The judge allowed six counts of possession of explosives to stand.