Missouri shooting plot suspect appeals 15-year sentence

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A defense attorney told state Supreme Court judges Wednesday a southwest Missouri man accused of planning shootings at a movie theater and store only thought about carrying out such an attack.

Blaec Lammers, 23, is appealing his convictions. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Lammers was arrested after his mother went to police with concerns he wasn't taking his medication for depression and might hurt himself, according to court records.

Authorities have said Lammers told them he originally planned to open fire on the opening-night crowd for "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2" in November 2012 at a theater in Bolivar, about 130 miles southeast of Kansas City. They said he opted for the Wal-Mart because he could get more ammunition at the store if he used all of his.

No shots were ever fired, but the state attorney general's office says Lammers took steps to commit an attack.

Assistant attorney general Robert Bartholomew told judges during court arguments Wednesday that Lammers admitted to police he had thoughts of shooting others and then bought two rifles and 400 rounds of ammunition that November. Bartholomew noted Lammers did not have a hunting license and practiced shooting once he bought the weapons.

Judge Laura Denvir Stith questioned Bartholomew about whether such actions necessarily indicate intent to harm others.

"Was buying the guns criminal?" Stith asked him. "Is target practice criminal?"

Bartholomew argued taking a "substantial step" to commit a shooting doesn't have to include breaking the law.

Lammers' attorney, Donald Cooley, argued Lammers didn't intend to harm anyone when he bought the guns. The lawyer said those thoughts came as he practiced shooting cans, at which point Lammers gave the weapons to his girlfriend's father out of fear he might misuse them.

Cooley said the case raises broader questions about thoughts of committing a crime and when those become punishable criminal action.

"To me, it's a crime by thought," Cooley said after the arguments, adding it could lead to "punishing people for things that they think."

Judges did not indicate when they might rule on the case.