Bradley Scott Sayer, wearing a yellow shirt that confined his hands and arms, today pleaded not guilty in Butte County Superior Court in connection with the June 22 shooting at the Chico library.
Sayer, 18, faces two counts of first degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing two library patrons — 78-year-old Robert Johnson and 46-year-old Cody Hull — with a shotgun owned by Sayer’s father. Police have called it an attempt at a “Columbine High style massacre.” The district attorney has said that Sayer was heavily engaged with online content about mass shootings.
If convicted, he could face life in prison without possibility of parole.
Sayer was seated inside the courtroom when the doors opened at about 8:30 a.m. Unlike at the June 25 arraignment, where he made a gesture that’s sometimes connected with white supremacist groups, Sayer didn’t acknowledge the media or people in the packed courtroom today. His attention remained on the judge and his retained legal counsel, Roberto Marquez.
Marquez, who is based in Marysville, told reporters he intends to have a forensic psychologist evaluate Sayer, but that it is too early to say if he will move for an insanity plea.
District Attorney Michael Ramsey was asked how he regarded that possibility.
“We do not see a basis for that at this point,” he said.
Sayer’s lawyer also noted he has to go through not only all of the records relating to the investigation, but also examine Sayer’s past, such as prior court filings and school records.
Sayer graduated from Chico High in June. According to his parents’ divorce court filings, he was diagnosed with autism and was in an Individualized Education Program. He also received court-mandated counseling.
The district attorney’s office is still gathering evidence. Prior to today’s hearing, Ramsey had asked the court to intervene in a search warrant against X, formerly Twitter. While Ramsey said he couldn’t go into specifics, he told ChicoSol it concerned Sayer’s posts.
In court, Ramsey withdrew the request because X provided the requested documents earlier today.
In court, Ramsey unsuccessfully sought the prohibition of photography and videography given that the defendant flashed a hand symbol during the June 25 arraignment. Ramsey said the hand gesture is connected with “mass shooters.”
In today’s hearing, Butte County sheriff’s deputies surrounded the defendant in what Ramsey said was an effort to block Sayer from making further gestures to the public.
Images from a June 25 arraignment hearing, where Sayer was denied bail, captured Sayer hand gesturing. Ramsey said that while Sayer was engaged with groups online with ties to “white supremacy,” investigators have not concluded that Sayer is or has been directly tied to white supremacist ideologies.
The June 22 shooting sent shockwaves through the community which had not previously experienced an active shooting event such as this. Since the incident, residents and businesses alike have supported the victims’ families through vigils and donations.
Sayer, who remains in solitary confinement at the Butte County jail, is set to return to court at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 6, where the date for the preliminary hearing is expected to be set.
Chris Hutton and Elias S. Myers are ChicoSol contributors.