Jury Selection to Begin Wednesday in Hillsdale High Pipe Bomb Trial

Jury selection will start Wednesday in the trial of Alexander Youshock, the teen charged with bringing pipe bombs and other weapons to in August 2009.

Two doctors who had been appointed in San Mateo County Superior Court to examine Youshock's competency reported on Friday that they'd determined Youshock, 18, is in fact fit to stand trial.

The court then scheduled jury selection to begin Wednesday and opening statements for March 7.

Youshock has been in custody without bail since the morning of Aug. 24, 2009, when he allegedly brought a sword, chain saw and 10 pipe bombs with the intention of causing mayhem to Hillsdale High.

A teacher tackled Youshock after two of the bombs were set off inside a hallway of the school shortly after 8 a.m. No one was injured.

Though Youshock was only 17 at the time, and a recent graduate of the school, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office decided soon after to charge him as an adult.

He was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of exploding a destructive device with intent to kill, one count of possession of a destructive device in a public place, use of explosives in an act of terrorism, and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon.

What followed was several months of court proceedings to determine Youshock’s competency to stand trial. Though a grand jury ruled him competent, in mid-December his attorney, Jonathan McDougall, added the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.