Judge to use to determine whether to try teen as an adult

WASECA  — A judge has approved prosecutors’ request for a second psychological exam for a southern Minnesota teen accused of plotting an attack at his school.

The exam was ordered by the judge in determining whether to charge 18-year-old John LaDue from Waseca as an adult. He was 17 when he was arrested last year. Waseca police said they found him in a storage unit with bomb-making materials.

Court documents say they also found guns, explosives and a 180-page journal that outlined a plan to kill his family, set a fire to divert first responders, then go to Waseca Junior and Senior High School and “kill as many students as he could.”

The teen, who was 17 at the time, told authorities he had been planning the attack for more than a year. Authorities say he acquired supplies and tested explosive devices in various locations in Waseca.

Attempted murder charges against the teen were dropped. He still faces charges for possessing explosives.

The teen’s attorney said the second exam is unnecessary, and that prosecutors only want it because the first wasn’t in their favor.

A hearing to decide whether the teen will be tried as an adult is scheduled for June 30.

Two teenagers accused of helping LaDue detonate small “test bombs” around Waseca, pleaded guilty in January to felony possession of explosive material.

The teenagers are on probation and must perform community service and write letters of apology.