Accused West Liberty school shooter has new court date

Ely Serna, the 17-year-old suspect in the West Liberty-Salem school shooting, appears in Champaign County Juvenile Court Monday. Jeff Guerini/Staff

Ely Serna, the 17-year-old suspect in the West Liberty-Salem school shooting, appears in Champaign County Juvenile Court Monday. Jeff Guerini/Staff

A new date for a court hearing has been set in the case against the alleged West Liberty-Salem High School shooter.

Ely Serna, 17, is scheduled to appear in Champaign County Juvenile Court at 10 a.m. March 29.

>>RELATED: Judge orders competency hearing for West Liberty shooting suspect 

Champaign County Juvenile Judge Lori Reisinger ordered a competency hearing last month at the request of the defense attorney. The competency hearing is to determine whether Serna can understand court proceedings and if he will be able to assist in his own defense.

Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi confirmed the new hearing date and said it's about whether Serna is competent to stand trial. Talebi said he couldn't release any further information at this time.

>>DETAILS: West Liberty suspect asked victim to shoot him, report says 

Serna has been accused of sneaking a shotgun into West-Liberty Salem High School on Jan. 20 and shooting 16-year-old Logan Cole twice. Cole is still recovering from the wounds but has returned to classes part-time.

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