By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

John Lawrence Schultz IV

ROCHESTER — A jury trial for a Rochester man who allegedly plotted a Columbine-type massacre in Fulton County has been rescheduled to Feb. 7.

John Lawrence Schultz IV, 20, 630 W. 6th St., Rochester, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, both level 2 felonies; and possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, and two counts of intimidation, all level 6 felonies.

The reschedule is due to an impending winter storm, which is expected to hit the area beginning late Tuesday, Feb. 1. According to the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana, the area could see initial snow accumulations of 6-12 inches, with locally higher amounts through Wednesday night, Feb. 2. Additional heavy snow accumulations are possible Thursday, Feb. 3.

All 12 members of the jury, who were pooled from Miami County, had no objections to the trial being rescheduled. Schultz’s trial will now take place from Feb. 7 to 10 in Fulton Circuit Court. Currently, there are no alternates seated on the jury. On Friday, Jan. 28, 85 people were called to serve, but only about three dozen appeared for jury selection. Fulton Circuit Court Judge Christopher Lee said the lack of attendance was largely due to COVID-19.

Alternates will be pooled from Fulton County on Tuesday, Feb. 1, in order to be selected for the case before the storm hits. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist with calling 25 county residents for the pooling process. Schultz’s defense attorneys objected to alternates being pooled from Fulton County, arguing that the case was too high-profile and finding alternates in the county without bias would be difficult.

Judge Lee argued that the alternates may not even be used in the case, but said he would feel more comfortable having alternates on the chance an issue arises with any current jury members.

The trial will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7.