Oduwole's day in court
Rosie Githinij
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
The lawyer for Olutosin Oduwole is claiming the note threatening a "murderous rampage" police found in his abandoned car were rap lyrics written by the aspiring rapper.
Olutosin Oduwole, a former student of SIUE, was charged with gun possession and making a terrorist threat in 2007.
The note read: "send $2 to … PayPal account if this account doesn't reach $50,000 in the next 7 days then a murderous rampage similar to the VT shooting will occur at another highly populated university. THIS IS NOT A JOKE!"
Previous stories on this topic:
Oduwole returns to jail after bond hearing
Oduwole attempted to purchase firearm in October, may lose bond
Oduwole note still considered evidence
Laywers seek to dismiss note
Oduwole told to stay off campus
Oduwole released from Madison County jail
Fraternity president held on $1 million bond
There was also ammunition found in the car, abandoned on campus, and a loaded handgun in his on-campus apartment.
According to Jeffrey Urdangen, attorney for Oduwole, they are waiting to hear from the judge on his motion to dismiss the case on First Amendment grounds.
"The judge has taken it under advisement to dismiss the case," Urdangen said.
He refused to answer any other questions about the case, saying he did not want to be quoted further and hung up the phone.
Judge Rich Tognarelli heard motions provided by both sides, and they are waiting for him to make his ruling, according to Stephanee Smith, the Madison County State's Attorney's communications director.
"The judge is expected to rule at some point. I'm not sure when it could be," Smith said. "It could be a couple of weeks or a couple of months."
Olutosin Oduwole, a former student of SIUE, was charged with gun possession and making a terrorist threat in 2007.
The note read: "send $2 to … PayPal account if this account doesn't reach $50,000 in the next 7 days then a murderous rampage similar to the VT shooting will occur at another highly populated university. THIS IS NOT A JOKE!"
Previous stories on this topic:
Oduwole returns to jail after bond hearing
Oduwole attempted to purchase firearm in October, may lose bond
Oduwole note still considered evidence
Laywers seek to dismiss note
Oduwole told to stay off campus
Oduwole released from Madison County jail
Fraternity president held on $1 million bond
There was also ammunition found in the car, abandoned on campus, and a loaded handgun in his on-campus apartment.
According to Jeffrey Urdangen, attorney for Oduwole, they are waiting to hear from the judge on his motion to dismiss the case on First Amendment grounds.
"The judge has taken it under advisement to dismiss the case," Urdangen said.
He refused to answer any other questions about the case, saying he did not want to be quoted further and hung up the phone.
Judge Rich Tognarelli heard motions provided by both sides, and they are waiting for him to make his ruling, according to Stephanee Smith, the Madison County State's Attorney's communications director.
"The judge is expected to rule at some point. I'm not sure when it could be," Smith said. "It could be a couple of weeks or a couple of months."
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