Ohio man arrested in connection with Penn High School attack plot

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Ohio man arrested in connection with Penn High School attack plot

Lee Billi, 33, of the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, was arrested Thursday, accused of helping a local 16-year-old plan an attack at Penn High School. (photo provided)

By Jim Pinkerton

LAKEWOOD, Ohio (AP) — A man accused of e-mailing an Indiana teenager about conducting a Columbine-style attack on two schools was charged with conspiracy to commit to murder, authorities said Friday.

Lee Billi, 33, of the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, was arrested Thursday and was being held in the city jail, a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County prosecutor said. A 16-year-old Indiana boy was arrested earlier in the week.

Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley said he didn't know how far along the two were in the alleged plan but said the two were talking about a Columbine-type plot.

A computer was removed from Billi's home in Lakewood in addition to computer disks, papers, books and three partial boxes of handgun ammunition, Malley said.

Authorities said the two exchanged e-mails on Sunday and discussed mass murders at the same time at the teen's school near South Bend, Ind., and at another location. Malley said he didn't know the other location but it didn't involve a Lakewood school.

Billi lives in a two-story brick apartment complex within view of the Lakewood High School football stadium located on school grounds. The superintendent sent word through a secretary that he was unaware of any plot involving Lakewood schools.

A judge in Indiana on Friday ordered the 16-year-old boy, whose name was not released because of his age, to remain in a juvenile detention center and undergo a psychological evaluation.

St. Joseph Probate Court Judge Peter Nemeth said the teen must stay in detention "for his own protection and protection of society."

At the teen's home near downtown South Bend, authorities said they found more than 100 knives and several illegal snakes.

"It doesn't sound from past history that anyone was keeping an eye on him," Nemeth said.

Authorities said a school officer investigating an unrelated threat at the teen's school, Penn High, discovered Internet postings in which the teen discussed his support for the Columbine shooters, a reference to the 1999 massacre at a suburban Denver high school in which two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before committing suicide.

School officials questioned the teen about his postings and learned he had exchanged e-mails Sunday with an unidentified person in which they discussed conducting "Columbine-like mass murders" at the same time on Sept. 11 at Penn and another location, St. Joseph prosecutor Michael Dvorak said Thursday.

The boy lived in his deceased grandfather's house on South Bend's northwest side in a rundown neighborhood scattered with vacant houses. Most neighbors declined to talk Friday.

But Allen McBride, who lives seven houses down, said although the boy hadn't always lived there, he had seen him grow up for years while visiting his grandfather.

"He was an average kid, but kind of strange," McBride said. "He came down here one day with a snake wrapped around his arm and said, 'Do you want to buy a snake?' I said, 'Man get back there.'"

The boy seemed "a little strange, a little weird," McBride said.

The boy was handcuffed and shackled during a detention hearing Friday. When he entered the courtroom he looked as though he had been crying, and sat with his face buried in his hands as he waited for about 20 minutes while other cases were heard.

When his case was called, he stood before the judge waiting for his mother, who was outside, then leaned as she hugged him. His uncle placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.

His family declined to comment after the hearing.

___

Associated Press writer Tom Coyne in South Bend contributed to this report.

Monday, Apr 28 at 6:23 AM penn high grad wrote ...

i admit penn probably is tough for some people to handle because of its size, but its size also allows for a bunch of different cliques. i find it hard to believe that someone who tried to find people like him would be unable to. and g man, get real. in four years at penn i never saw anyone physically or mentally tortured. especially physically - that's ridiculous. i never even saw a fight

Sunday, Apr 27 at 1:20 PM WTF wrote ...

Thought Police...no crime commited here.

Sunday, Apr 27 at 2:00 AM From afar again wrote ...

Dist-lines. MI line to Wyatt, County Line Rd to just west of Grape Rd and west of Ireland Rd. This has nothing to do with size, or the stability of the school. Uniqie students are dealt with care. This proves that Mom didn't deal with his 1st offence 3 years ago, this proves that the extra care he needed was never followed-up by Mom. The News stated he moved to live with Grandpa after the 1st offence. Don't blame the school. Adapt to the world not live by his own rules. support his plea for Help

Sunday, Apr 27 at 1:14 AM looking from afar wrote ...

The school is large. I see pretty much fair treatment. Sure there are some favs, but from what I see these unique students pick on others. It doesnt matter how rich, poor or where you live. Out in the real world you will not like/be liked by everyone, so one must adapt, especially if you want to grow with success. The help is there for anyone who needs it. This same past experience with this same student proves he needed help then and was given. Ultimately this is the parents obligation.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 10:33 PM A former staffer wrote ...

Mr."G" may not have expressed it as eloquently as Miss Manners but his observation is right on the money. Penn High School is a great place to be for the academicly, athleticly or special ability gifted but if a student does not fall under the umbrella of one of those distinctions it can be four years of tormenting hell. With the introduction of financialy affluent families has come the notion that more is best and less is nothing. Some handle being referred to as 'nothing' better than others.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 7:57 PM penn wrote ...

Penn teachers are awesome. Have three recent grads that succeeded academically and socially and doing great in college. Administrators/ deans need to get a clue and quit playing favorites. Treat everyone equally and deal with the real issues instead of the petty ones.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 1:52 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Yeah I would like to comment on what G-Man wrote about Penn and I can't believe about the awesome school and how priveleged I felt when I went there also and graduated there. I thought wow what a school I belong to and how privileged I was to go to a school that has alot to offer to students!! I'am pretty saddened that what has happend to my old stumping grounds but I hope that justice prevails and the student gets another chance to redem himself!!

Saturday, Apr 26 at 1:34 PM Annonomyus wrote ...

They need to stay on top of the happenings at Penn or its just a matter of time before something like that does happen!!!!!

Saturday, Apr 26 at 10:55 AM G man wrote ...

The kid was wrong to do what he did.It sounds like his homelife sucks too.But Penn high school sucks too.I graduated there that is the worst school ive ever attended.Literally those kids physically and mentally torture the weaker kids.And the staff lets it go on.I believe that the atmosphere at Penn can create a monster with added outside influence.Has anyone ever been held down and literally defacated on.I was and it happened at penn.Could any of you handle that kind of torture daily?

Saturday, Apr 26 at 10:39 AM anom in the bend wrote ...

Its sad that this kid felt like he did. Its sad that he thought that doing something like that would gove him the attention and status he felt he needed. High school is a rough time in our lives because teenagers are so niave and confused. Its a very good thing that nothing did take place, even if he truley wasnt capable of going through with it, maybe that other guy in Ohio would have. Hopefully they get the help they need.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 10:27 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Thank God they caught this before anything was carried out. The kids at Penn have to be scared and always relieved that it was not carried out. I hope they don't let this kid out for a very long time.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 8:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...

its crazy man you don't expect this stuff at penn i'm a student there and when i first found out i was shocked because the boy who planned it was one of my brothers friends and hes spent the night at my house before. its been highjly talked about at penn. its just been a crazy year for us

Saturday, Apr 26 at 8:04 AM Ben wrote ...

Lock him up, throw away the key. Teenage death penalty for something so dumb. You know he's gonna do it when he's older.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 6:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

If the boy lived in South Bend on the Northwest side why was he attending Penn High School? Shouldn't he have been attending a South Bend School? I was a single parent and that is no excuse for not raising your children. So many kids just grow older and are not being raised. It is the parent's responsibility to train the children not the teacher's. I am still wondering what he was doing at Penn?

Saturday, Apr 26 at 2:08 AM another thought wrote ...

Don't blame single parenting. The rich, middle and the poor are not exempt from blame. We are molders. Many are busy working to hard and not taking enough time for family. It seems some adults can't control their children so they empower them to do what ever they want to aquire peice for themselves. Clearly this is an issue that needs to be resolved. I am a single parent and I have an active role, I realize kids will be kids. I am not perfect, but I do my best. Acting out gets attention.

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