JUDGE orders teen shooter to remain at Sand Springs center for treatment

<br>MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ A Muskogee County judge rejected requests Tuesday that a teen-ager who opened fire on fellow classmates at Fort Gibson Middle School be allowed to receive treatment other than

Wednesday, May 30th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ A Muskogee County judge rejected requests Tuesday that a teen-ager who opened fire on fellow classmates at Fort Gibson Middle School be allowed to receive treatment other than a program offered at a center in Sand Springs.

Associate District Judge Tom Alford said Seth Trickey is going through the appropriate steps and will remain at the Rader Diagnostic and Treatment Center and continue to report for court evaluations.

The teen's lawyers had asked the court to consider treatment alternatives, including placing Trickey back with his family. Under juvenile justice guidelines, Trickey could stay in state custody until his 19th birthday, or be released any time before then.

Trickey was a student at Fort Gibson when he pulled his father's 9 mm gun from his backpack and began shooting at students arriving at school on the morning of Dec. 6, 1999.

Five students were hit, and one girl was shot in the face, but all have recovered. Authorities at the time said it was apparent the teen was trying to maim and kill his victims.

At a March 29, 2000, hearing to determine if Trickey should be charged as an adult, a psychologist theorized the shooter was obsessed with the military, and was testing himself to see if he could maintain his composure during a combat-like setting.

At a hearing six months ago, Trickey's attorneys said their client was not receiving proper psychiatric treatment.

Lawyers Jim and Drew Wilcoxen said the Rader center had promised it would design a specific treatment program for Trickey, but had not done so.

Rader officials said the attorneys' complaints were unfounded, and that Trickey was receiving appropriate treatment.