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Accused School Plot Ringleader Says Bullies Pushed Him Over The Edge

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 – updated: 5:57 pm EDT April 29, 2008

The accused ringleader of a middle school murder plot talked publicly for the first time Tuesday and said bullies pushed him over the edge; he thought shooting his classmates was the only way out.


RAW INTERVIEW: Accused School Plot Ringleader Talks Publicly
VIDEO REPORT: Attorney For Teen Puts Blame On Sheriff's Office
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Suspects At Previous Court Appearance
MORE IMAGES: Photos Of The Three 13-Year-Old Suspects
RAW AUDIO: Principal Calls Parents To Alert Them To School Plot

Austin Mohr, 13, was one of three kids accused of planning a massacre at DeLand Middle School. He spoke to the media outside his hearing in Volusia County on Tuesday.

"I've always kept these feelings in for so long, it's very hard to get 'em out," he said.

Mohr is accused of threatening to attack his middle school. Investigators said he made threats including, "I will kill every person I see. The massacre will happen soon."

But Mohr said Tuesday he has come a long way from the claims that have him facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

"Threatening to kill other people and threatening to do very bad things to them is not the way to go. Talk to somebody, talk to your parents, talk to somebody you trust, but just don't try to take it into your own hands," he said.

Mohr was out of his jail jumpsuit and wearing a large black suit Tuesday as he learned he will face trial in June. Investigators said he filled a MySpace page with mentions of the Columbine Massacre and attempted to get a gun, which he admitted was wrong.

"Very wrong way, yes," he said Tuesday.

But he also blamed the school system, which he said knew he was being bullied and did nothing to help him.

"I think there should be more laws and boundaries to stop bullying, because I think that's what's tearing schools apart and making children like me doing things like this," he said.

Mohr was arrested along with two other children in early March. Charlene Russell is still in full-time behavioral treatment. Tyler Christian is in treatment only during the day and is allowed to go home to his parents at night. Both had their cases continued Tuesday.

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