Mason Larrison
An 18-year-old local teen pleaded guilty Thursday in Bartholomew Circuit Court to making verbal threats against a fellow teen while pointing a handgun at him in the Columbus East High School parking lot following a basketball game.
Mason D. Larrison, 18, 3572 Grange Drive., entered a guilty plea to intimidation while drawing or using a deadly weapon during an initial hearing. If convicted of the Level 5 felony, the former Columbus East senior and football player could face one to six years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10,000.
Larrison also agreed to an open plea that will allow Judge Kelly Benjamin to determine the sentence within the confines of state statutes.
During questioning by the judge, Larrison said he has a mental disorder, but did not specify the nature of the problem. He said it did not have any impact on his judgement in the courtroom.
“Mason and I spent a significant amount of time discussing this matter,” defense attorney Andrew Baldwin of Franklin told the judge. “We feel (pleading guilty) is in the best interest of everyone. And we came to this conclusion in consultation with his parents.”
Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for 2:45 p.m. May 25.
In February, the victim told investigators he had been spending time with Larrison’s former girlfriend, which prompted the defendant to send him threatening online messages, according to a probable cause affidavit. Larrison also threatened the young male by warning him he had a gun and wanted to kill him, according to court documents.
Following the Columbus East-Brownstown Central basketball game on Feb 2, the victim got into the backseat of a vehicle occupied by two front seat riders parked in the East school parking lot, the affidavit states. That’s when Larrison ran up to the vehicle, pulled out a Taurus 9mm handgun and pointed it at the victim, court records state.
“Larrison told (the victim) to get out of the vehicle,” the affidavit states. “Larrison attempted to open the rear door of the vehicle, but (the victim) was able to hold the door shut.”
Although the driver sped away from the scene, Larrison attempted to follow them in another vehicle, the court document states. However, the victim and his companions were eventually able to lose their pursuer and make contact with law enforcement.
The next day, Columbus Police Sgt. Julie Quesenbery went to Larrison’s home and spoke to his mother and stepfather. They told Quesenbery the teen no longer possessed the firearm, according to the affidavit. They handed over a handgun to Quesenbery that matched witness descriptions of the weapon used in the intimidation, according to court documents.
