(Update 2:06 p.m.)—A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge has accepted a guilty plea from a Perry Hall High School student who admitted to shooting a special needs schoolmate.
Robert Gladden Jr., 15, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent act before Circuit Court Judge Robert Cahill, Jr.
The other 27 counts against Gladden were dropped.
By entering a guilty plea, Gladden waived his right to a trial, which was scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
After 11 a.m., Baltimore County Assistant State's Attorney John Cox, Gladden's defense attorney George Psoras and Cahill discussed the terms of the plea agreement while Gladden's family members openly wept.
Gladden's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Cahill said the maximum sentence Gladden faces is life in prison with an active cap of 40 years.
Daniel Borowy, 17, was seriously injured following the Aug. 27 incident.
Parkville-Overlea Patch editor Nick Gestido contributed to this story.