HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Judge Patty Macke-Dick has ruled that the hearings for the two teens accused of conspiracy to commit capital murder will remain open to the public.
Fourteen-year-old Ayrton “Alex” Marroquin and 15-year-old Carson Cabral are accused of making threats against officials at Hutch High.
Attorneys for the teens, Stan Juhnke and Greg Bell, asked their request be granted including a gag order, closing the hearings, and sealing all documents. They argued that it would be in the best interest of their clients because of the high profile nature of the charges. Juhnke argued that there may be mental evaluations done on the two teens. They asked that the judge at least look at sealing documents on a case-by-case basis.
Judge Macke-Dick had earlier denied the overall gag order and would consider sealing court filings on a case-by-case basis.
In deciding to keep the court hearings open, she cites similar allegations involving threats at the high school and believes it failed to deter the two defendants from going down the same path. For that reason, she ordered that proceedings will be open to the public and the media.
The investigation in the case began when a student came forward back on March 8 and expressed concerns about a threat to students. The school Resource Officer was notified and other Hutchinson Police Officers were called in to investigate.
While search warrants were served, they recovered plans for making pipe bombs as well as sketches and plans of where certain teachers and staff would be so they could be targeted. They also recovered items that could be used to build explosive devices, which were confiscated by law enforcement.