Former West G Student Also Admits to Gun Charge
Brandon Morrissette, 18, the West Geauga High School student who brought a gun to school last year with plans to kill several students, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in a school zone March 21.
Brandon Morrissette, 18, the West Geauga High School student who brought a gun to school last year with plans to kill several students, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in a school zone March 21.
Morrissette, of Lyndhurst, faces a maximum possible prison term of 16 and a half years for the attempted murder charge, a first-degree felony, and six to 12 months for committing the crime of possessing a firearm in a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony, said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz.
“We request that he continue to be held without bond and the court did order that. He’s going to remain at the Geauga county jail with no bond and then the court ordered a pre-sentence investigation,” Flaiz said. “Then, they’re going to schedule a sentencing, but that has not been scheduled yet.”
Morrissette was indicted May 2, 2023, by a Geauga County grand jury for bringing a 9mm handgun with three loaded magazines to West Geauga High School April 3, 2023.
He was arrested that morning after fellow student Casey Orloski, 17, discovered a bullet in the men’s bathroom.
Court records show when interviewed by Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young and Capt. Jeff Sherwood, Morrissette admitted he planned to open fire on students in the school library and that he chose the location because of the large number of students who would be there at that time.
A 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun with three loaded magazines was found during a search of Morrissette’s book bag. He also had a lock blade-style knife secured to the exterior of his pants, according to officials.
Morrissette had originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, then changed his plea to not guilty Nov. 8, 2023, after appearing remotely for a hearing about the results of his second psychological evaluation.
Morrissette suffers from depression but “knew the wrongfulness of his behavior,” according to a doctor’s statement read in court that day.
Morrissette was set to appear before Geauga County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke for his jury trial at 8 a.m. April 16.
“We didn’t expect a change of plea on Thursday. It was just set for an attorney conference, but the defendant was there and his father was also there,” Flaiz said. “After talking to his attorney, they said they wanted to do this. I don’t know the reason why, but, they ultimately made a choice to do that.”
This sentencing might take a little longer than most, Flaiz added.
“I expect this sentencing will take maybe a little longer than the pre-sentence investigation because they’re going to have to go through the multiple psychological reports out there,” he said.
