Prosecution Rests In Columbine-Style Plot Trial

BOSTON -- Prosecutors in the case of a former Marshfield High School student accused of plotting a Columbine-style attack at his school delivered closing arguments Wednesday.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that Joseph Nee, 21, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, promotion of anarchy and threatening to use deadly weapons at school.

Courtney Held, a 20-year-old Marshfield High School dropout, was questioned by the defense by a statement that she made to the prosecution.

"Joe asked me if my brother could get him a gun," Held said.

Nee is accused of leading a plot to blow up Marshfield High School.

Defense attorneys questioned Held's motives and zeroed in on Held's admission that Nee was only a minor acquaintance.

"You are telling the judge that this minor acquaintance of yours asked you to ask your brother to buy a gun. Is that what you are telling the judge?" an attorney asked.

"That is what I am telling the judge," Held said.

Earlier in the day, Marshfield Police Officer Helen Gray, who was assigned to the high school when Nee was arrested there in 2004, testified.

"Joe was drawing attention to himself. There was a general concern about his demeanor," Gray said.

Gray said that she and other students were concerned about Nee's behavior the previous spring when he moved out of his parent's home.

"He was depressed. He was despondent. I offered to sit down with him and arrange a meeting with him and his father and his mother. He declined those offers," Gray said.

Nee's parents and other members of his family have been in court during the proceedings. His father is the head of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.