Keokuk, IA – The teenagers accused of bringing a gun to Keokuk High School have had their charges reduced. Dillon Howell, 14, and Derrick Huston, 14, now face just one felony county of carrying a weapon on school grounds. The teens have each denied the charge against them and have waived their rights to a speedy trial. The original charges against Howell and Huston included felony unauthorized possession of an offensive weapon. Authorities say a 22-caliber handgun that was found in Huston's backpack, last month, was brought to school by Howell. The two remain on house arrest until their trials, which will not be combined. The next appearances for both Howell and Huston are scheduled for early July.
Meanwhile, the Keokuk School District officially expelled both Howell and Huston, last night, for 1 calendar year. Superintendent Jane Babcock says the year starts from the date of the incident. That means the teens should be eligible to return to school, as second semester freshmen, in late January of 2008. The district provided each student with information on available online or home schooling options, outside of its jurisdiction. The expulsion hearings lasted about 20 minutes, each, and ended in unanimous votes by the school board.