Chicago man pleads not guilty after college lockdown
BISMARCK, N.D. — A 20-year-old University of Mary student accused of writing Facebook posts that prompted an hourlong lockdown of the Bismarck campus has pleaded not guilty to terrorizing.
The Bismarck Tribune reports that Patrick Casas of Chicago entered the plea Tuesday following a short hearing in which District Judge Sonna Anderson found probable cause.
Authorities allege that Casas posted two threats on Facebook on Nov. 21-22, one of them referring to shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007. The campus was shut down until he was arrested.
Casas’ next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3.
Defense attorney Robert Bolinske Jr. says his client is no longer attending the Bismarck university. Casas has been allowed to return to Chicago but must return for all court appearances.