Update as of 11:21 a.m. local time (1:21 p.m. ET):
Court dismissed. Bond set at $1 million, cash only. Should he make bond, the usual conditions apply: no alcohol or drugs, GPS monitoring, no possession of firearms/weapons, no contact with victims/witnesses. He would also have to stay 500 yards away from all schools, including colleges and universities. The next hearing is set for March 2, 2010 at 10 a.m. (local) in this courtroom.
NOTE: The Fox News Brainroom (researchers), Kirsten Noyes and Denver Bureau Chief Denis King contributed to this report today.
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Update as of 11:16 a.m. local time (1:16 p.m. ET):
He’s facing two charges of criminal attempted 1st degree murder. The affidavit has been ordered and will remain sealed.
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Update as of 11:09 a.m. local time (1:09 p.m. ET):
Eastwood’s hearing has begun.
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Update as of 11:05 a.m local time (1:05 p.m. ET):
Eastwood has arrived in the jail’s hearing room. He’s spending a few minutes in private with his defender. It’s hard to make out on the video monitor, but it looks like he has long hair. He’s dressed in the typical jail attire, orange scrubs or jumpsuit.
He has a criminal history which includes arrests for: felony menacing in 1996, domestic violence in 1997, obstructing a police officer in 2003, driving while ability impaired in 2003, personal injury in 2003 and driving under suspension in 2004. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Booking Details list his height at 5’09” and his weight at 120 pounds.
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Update as of 10:17 a.m. local time:
Eastwood’s defense objected to expanded media coverage (cameras in court). Judge has denied the request for expanded media coverage on basis it could interfere with right to fair trial. The suspect will be the last defendant processed at this hearing.
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Update as of 10 a.m. local time (Noon ET):
Court is in session with County Court Judge Thomas Vance presiding. Numerous people will be processed. The suspect is expected to appear via video link. The court is addressing the request for expanded media coverage.
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The alleged shooter in yesterday’s shooting of two students at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, Colorado will have his first court appearance, where he’ll be advised of the charges against him. It’s scheduled for a few minutes from now, Noon ET, at Jefferson County Court in Golden, approximately 10 miles west of Denver.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect is identified as Bruco Strongeagle Eastwood. The 32 year old was tackled by a teacher (see picture at upper left) and held until police arrived on the scene yesterday. According to the sheriff’s news release, Eastwood was apparently at the school prior to yesterday and “he was also briefly inside the school…shortly before the shootings which took place outside” in the afternoon, as school was letting out.
School is closed today , it remains a crime scene as investigators will be on site. It’s just 3 miles from the infamous Columbine High massacre which took place 11 years ago.
(Photo of teacher, Courtesy of KDVR)