WORLD Delay in hearings Suspects held on shooting

DENVER: Prosecutors investigating the case against two students suspected of shooting nine classmates, one fatally, in a suburban Denver charter school have until next week to decide what charges to pursue, a judge ruled on Friday.

Meanwhile, all but one of those injured in the shooting have been released from hospitals, officials said.

District Judge Theresa Slade delayed hearings that had been scheduled for Friday for Devon Erickson, 18, and 16year-old Alec McKinney, who is listed in court documents as Maya.

They are suspects in the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch on Tuesday.

Court spokesman Rob McCallum said prosecutors and defence agreed to a postponement until Wednesday.

Vikki Migoya, a spokeswoman for District Attorney George Brauchler, did not explain the reason for the delay.

The entire court file in the case is under seal. In an initial court appearance on Wednesday, Brauchler asked for a delay until Monday to file charges so that authorities would have the weekend to pursue their investigation.

The latest delay until Wednesday gives prosecutors more time to decide whether to charge McKinney as an adult.

Colorado law permits prosecutors to file adult charges of serious felonies against 16 and 17-year-olds without prior approval from a judge.

Kendrick Castillo, the 18year-old senior killed during the shooting, and two classmates at the school have been credited with helping thwart the attack by charging at one of the shooters when he entered a classroom.

Authorities have said an armed private security guard restrained the second shooter. Erickson and McKinney have been in jail since Tuesday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.