Jesse Osborne, 15, accused of Townville school shooting, will be tried as an adult

Jesse Osborne, the teenager accused of killing his father and then opening fire on the Townville Elementary School playground, will be tried as an adult.

Judge Edgar Long made the decision on Friday to waive Osborne, now 15, out of Family Court and up to General Sessions Court.

Osborne faces two charges of murder, three charges of attempted murder and five counts of possessing a weapon during a violent crime in the Sept. 28, 2016, shooting. He was 14 at the time.

David Wagner, the 10th Judicial Circuit solicitor, said that if the teen is later found guilty, Osborne faces at least 30 years in prison and could be kept behind bars for the rest of his life.

If Osborne's case had been kept and tried in Family Court, he would have faced a much lighter sentence if convicted and could have been released when he turned 21.

Jacob's parent's, Renae and Rodger Hall, released a statement Friday through Anderson attorney Field Dunaway, who represents their son's estate.

"The evil and premeditated planning which has been revealed this week through witness testimony clearly demonstrates that Osborne... is a cold and calculated killer," they said. "May God have mercy on his soul."

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Dr. James Ballenger, a forensic psychiatrist who also evaluated Charleston mass-killer Dylann Roof, provided damning testimony late Thursday about his assessment of Osborne.

"In my opinion he should be waived up to General Sessions (adult court) for the protection of the public,” Ballenger said.

Ballenger testified that there are two sides to the teen, that Osborne can appear socially adept but has disturbing characteristics below the surface.

The teen who told investigators that his pet rabbit was his best friend bragged to Ballenger about how he liked to taunt it, Ballenger said. Osborne told the doctor that he liked to shoot at or near dogs to watch them react and that he enjoyed smashing frogs on concrete.

Ballenger said that as Osborne has seen various psychiatric evaluators, the teen as reported seeing "blue people," "people with no faces," and "Scooby Doo and a demon." But Ballenger testified that what Osborne was saying was "not presented in a credible way."

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People on both sides of the Anderson County Courthouse cried as Ballenger testified about Osborne's "indifference to his victims." Ballenger said that Osborne said he had done 6-year-old Jacob Hall "a favor" by mortally wounding him.

Ballenger, who was in court all week, testified that he watched Osborne smile as disturbing details of the case were discussed, "then try to hide it."

Ballenger said treatment for the teen would be difficult, in part because he shows a lack of remorse. He said it would be best for Osborne to be treated while "under lock and key."

More: Expert says accused Townville shooter Jesse Osborne, 15, should be tried as adult

In a videotaped interview that was played in court Monday, Osborne detailed for investigators events leading up to the shooting, describing a difficult home life and saying that he had been bullied at West Oak Middle School in Westminster. He said he got into trouble at the school for bringing a hatchet and a machete. He was taking homeschool courses in Townville at the time of the shooting.

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Ballenger said that there may have been some bullying of Osborne by others and some "harsh treatment" of him at home, but Ballenger stopped short of classifying that as abuse.

Osborne is accused of killing his father, 47-year-old Jeffrey Osborne, at their home, then driving to the school about three miles away and firing shots on the playground. Two students were shot, a third was hurt, and a first-grade teacher was also shot. Jacob, a first-grader, died of his injuries three days later.

As Osborne's lawyers attempted to mount a defense for him Friday, Bill Davis took the stand. Davis attends Oakdale Baptist Church in Townville, where the funerals for Jeffrey Osborne and Jacob Hall were held. Davis also provides ministry services in the Greenville County Juvenile Detention Center where Jesse Osborne is housed, though he hadn't interacted with him there.

Three weeks ago, Davis received a prayer request from the teen.

"He asked that I would please pray for him," Davis testified, "that he would get the help that he needed."

Follow Nikie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo and email her at mayon@independentmail.com.

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