Apalachee High shooting: Colt Gray judge recuses from case

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. – The judge in the trial of Colt Gray, the teen accused killing four people at Apalachee High School, has ordered the dismissal of the case, citing “the importance of efficient administration of justice”.

Judge Currie M. Mingledorff II is retiring from the bench and because his successor is currently an assistant district attorney at the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, he has taken the step to withdraw from the case.

The case has been assigned to Judge Sarah Griffie.

Colt Gray is accused of opening fire using a “black AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle” in the high school’s J room during second period on September 4. Two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14were killed. Nine others were injured.

Colt Gray faces 55 chargesincluding four counts of murder, four counts of murder, four counts of aggravated assault, 25 counts of aggravated assault and 18 counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

Colt’s father, Colin Gray, faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors allege he saw warning signs of his son’s behavior but took no action and even bought the firearm used in the shooting as a Christmas present.

Colt Gray, the alleged shooter, and his father, Colin Gray, have filed for a separate trial. Arraignment for both is scheduled for Nov. 21.