Bryan Flecken

PITTSBURGH — The attorney for a man accused of making threats against Butler School District is asking for a bail reduction for his client.

The attorney for Bryan Flecken, 28, of Bridgeville is asking for a non-monetary bail for his client, who faces two misdemeanor terroristic threat charges for the incident which occurred Feb. 16 in Allegheny County.

Allegheny County District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet held the charges for court following a preliminary hearing. A formal arraignment is set April 12 in Pittsburgh. Flecken remains in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

On Monday, Flecken’s attorney, Giuseppe Rosselli, filed a motion asking for Flecken’s bail to be reduced.

In the filing, Rosselli writes that Flecken has been evaluated by a behavioral clinic and is not a flight risk. Flecken does not have the funds to post bail, the filing states.

Rosselli writes that the more “significant” question is whether he is a threat to the community, which Rosselli does not believe to be true.

“Although much of Mr. Flecken’s comments were thoughtless, he did not make a threat to any school,” the filing states.

Additionally, Rosselli writes that Flecken has been cooperative since the investigation began, and voluntarily agreed to the injunction with the school district.

The filing also states that Flecken has no history of mental health issues and no criminal history or history of violence. Flecken also does not own or possess a firearm, the filing states.

“(Flecken) sincerely regrets his Facebook post and any concern that it has caused,” the filing states. “However, he did not threaten any school, has no animosity toward any school or person affiliated with any school, has no access to firearms and poses no threat to anyone.”

Rosselli also writes that he “anticipates filing a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,” which implies Flecken is being held falsely and without cause.

When contacted Rosselli said that while he understands the reaction to Flecken’s comments, he believes they are based on “what was happening nationally” at the time.

“It’s an understandable reaction, but an overreaction nonetheless,” he said.

Rosselli plans to ask for a non-monetary bond, and would be agreeable to Flecken wearing a monitoring device while he awaits court proceedings.

“He means nobody any harm,” Rosselli said.

As of Thursday afternoon, no date had been set for the requested hearing.

An anonymous tip led authorities to charge Flecken, a 2008 graduate of the district. Police received a tip that contained screen shots of a conversation between several Facebook users, including Flecken.

South Fayette police, along with FBI personnel, went to Flecken’s home where he acknowledged he made some “less than colorful comments,” the document states.

Flecken cooperated with the investigation, showing officers his phone, where police observed comments from Flecken, including the specific threat of “Gonna shoot up: Butler JHS, IHS, or Sr. High??”, the document states.